LKLD May 2026

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Letter From the Editor

In this issue, we’re celebrating the people and stories that make our community feel a little more connected (and a lot more interesting). We visit with Maria Petit Food Boutique in Auburndale, we meet Travis Doodles in Lakeland and learn how he’s helping the unhoused, we take a look at the endurance and excitement of the Twelve Hours of Sebring, hear the mystery of the Betz Sphere, and highlight the incredible impact of Lighthouse for the Blind. (plus, so much more!) We have some truly inspirational people in this issue.

Jeremy Gardner is back! I’m excited to announce that Jeremy will write a fictional short story for us every month. May’s story is called “The Lure,” and it’s so good. It’s funny, a little scary, a little sweet, and you can’t stop reading once you start.

It’s Mother’s Day this month, and whether you’re celebrating moms, being a mom, missing your mom, or standing in as a mom, I hope you have a peaceful and beautiful day.

Thanks for picking us up and taking a look, we appreciate it.

See you around town!

Amy Sexson Editor/Partner

Haven

& LKLD Magazines

Destroyer Media &

Marketing

Winter Haven Farmers Market

LOCAL NEWS

ROOF LIENS TRAP HOMEOWNERS

A year after Lakeland resident Sarah Taylor almost lost her home over a disputed roofing bill, her case is resolved — but the broader problem is not. More than a dozen Polk County homeowners are facing lawsuits or liens tied to work by Florida Roof Specialists. In September, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sued the company, accusing it of misleading homeowners into believing they would owe nothing beyond their insurance deductible, only to hit them with unexpected bills. The complaint calls the company’s practices “immoral, unethical, oppressive, unscrupulous.” But while that case proceeds in Citrus County, Polk homeowners are having to make immediate decisions. Some are challenging the liens and winning. Others are settling and making monthly payments to avoid losing their homes. Attorney Gary De Pury said many lawyers will help pro bono. “Anyone who doesn’t put up a fight is destined to lose immediately,” he said.

LAKELAND REOPENS TALBOT HOUSE DEBATE

Lakeland commissioners voted 5-2 on April 6 to reopen Talbot House’s controversial proposal for a large social services campus and shelter on Memorial Boulevard. The meeting drew more than 75 residents, some wearing custom T-shirts expressing their opposition. The vote did not approve the project. Instead, it set a new April 20 hearing for commissioners to reconsider the zoning request from scratch. Talbot House wants to build a roughly 72,000-square-foot facility with up to 390 beds on about 2.6 acres of donated land at Memorial Boulevard and Ingraham Avenue. The facility would also include a free health clinic and job training. Several commissioners stressed the vote was about process, not the project itself. Mayor Sara Roberts McCarley said, “Going into de novo, we start fresh.” Opponents raised concerns about crime, traffic, nearby schools, and the future of the corridor’s revitalization.

WORDS

Cindy Glover/LkldNow

BUS PASSES HELP PEOPLE GET TO COURT

A new partnership in Polk County is trying to remove a hidden barrier to navigating the justice system: getting to court. Citrus Connection and the Public Defender’s Office are launching a pilot program to provide bus passes to people who can’t afford transportation. Public Defender Blair Allen said transportation is a common barrier for her clients, many of whom already qualify as indigent. Getting to court — often in Bartow — can be especially difficult for people living elsewhere in Polk County without a car. Missing a court date can trigger warrants, jail time, job loss, and housing instability. Under the program, public defenders will identify clients who lack reliable transportation and give them a custom flyer with two bus passes, route information, and a QR code with schedules. The program began the week of April 14 and will run for at least a year.

SUN ’N FUN BOOSTS ECONOMY AND EDUCATION

The Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo returned to Lakeland Linder International Airport from April 14–19, marking the 52nd annual fly-in — and a major boost for the local economy. “This isn’t just a oneweek event,” Aerospace Center for Excellence CEO Gene Conrad told city commissioners. “This is the engine that powers everything we do the other 51 weeks of the year.” Lakeland’s biggest annual event not only fills hotels and restaurants; it also helps to fund yearround aviation education programs. Conrad described a “cradle to cockpit” pipeline that starts with storytime for young children and continues through field trips, summer camps, and a high school aerospace program. In 2025 alone, more than 18,000 youth took part. Thirty high school students earned private pilot certificates that would typically cost $12,000 at no charge through scholarships funded by the event.

BURN BAN LIFTED TEMPORARILY

Polk County officials temporarily suspended a countywide burn ban on April 9, giving residents a brief window to legally light campfires, bonfires, and other outdoor fires. The suspension ran through April 16 at 11:59 p.m. The current burn ban is the longest in recent history. It has been in place since Nov. 25, 2025, prohibiting campfires, trash burning, fireworks, and other open flames across the county because of a prolonged drought that has created dangerous conditions and sparked numerous wildfires. Polk County Fire Rescue C hief Shawn Smith said, “Recent heavy rains have finally brought Polk County the much-needed relief.” Even so, he urged residents to burn responsibly and keep a water source nearby. The suspension is temporary, not a full repeal, underscoring how quickly conditions can shift during a dry spring. Lakeland laws always prohibit burning trash.

GROCERY CHANGES HIT THREE STORES

Changes are coming to three Lakeland grocery stores as Winn-Dixie and ALDI reshape their local footprint. The Winn-Dixie at 6600 North Socrum Loop is expected to close in mid-April and convert to an ALDI store. The move follows ALDI’s acquisition of Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of Winn-Dixie and Harveys. At the same time, two Lakeland Harveys Supermarkets — at 1305 Ariana St. and 2630 U.S. Highway 92 — are being converted into WinnDixie stores. Company officials didn’t offer details but said they are working to ensure a smooth transition for customers and employees. The stores will reflect Winn-Dixie’s new look, and will carry “Own Brand products, prepared foods and the grocer’s signature Lip Lickin’ Chicken in the deli,” the company said in a statement. Customers can transfer their existing Harveys Rewards points to the WinnDixie Rewards app.

MURDER SUSPECT CAPTURED AFTER 46 DAYS

After 46 days on the run, Janard Dominic Childs is behind bars. The 34-year-old was arrested April 8 outside an apartment in Plant City, just across the Polk County line, bringing a weeks-long manhunt to an end. Childs is accused of fatally shooting his former friend, Deandre “Dre” Montgomery Sr., outside the Jade Fox Lounge in the early hours of Feb. 22. Lakeland Police said he was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Hillsborough County Jail. He faces charges of second-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and tampering with evidence. When he was arrested, Childs no longer had his distinctive dreadlocks, a change that may have helped him avoid detection. The arrest closed one of Lakeland’s most closely watched manhunts and the city’s first homicide of 2026.

OB-GYN SHORTAGE LIMITS CARE

Polk County has far fewer OB-GYNs than most of Florida, and the gap is expected to grow. According to the Florida Department of Health, Polk had 3.5 OB-GYNs per 100,000 people in fiscal year 2023-2024 — less than half the statewide average of 8.7 practitioners. And health leaders warn that more than half of current OB-GYNs could retire within the next decade. Local health systems are trying to respond by recruiting doctors and developing training programs, but those solutions take time. Until then, many patients are facing long waits or having to travel outside the area for care. The problem was worsened by the closure of the Lakeland Planned Parenthood in March 2026. The Lakeland clinic offered preventative care, including cancer screenings, birth control, testing, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. It did not provide abortions.

ACTIVIST WANTS HOUSING BOARD SHAKE-UP

A Lakeland resident is urging city commissioners to remove four members of the Lakeland Housing Authority board, escalating months of frustration over how the agency is run. Harlem Turner made the request at the end of the April 6 City Commission meeting, naming Chairman David Samples, Stacy Campbell-Domineck, Vice Chairman Annie Gibson, and Charles Welch. He did not seek the removal of the board’s other three members. Turner’s comments came after more than seven months of residents raising concerns about the Housing Authority and its executive director, Ben Stevenson — including allegations of nepotism, retaliation, and discrimination. Mayor Sara Roberts McCarley said she has been fielding complaints for months, but this was the first time she had heard a direct request to remove specific board members. She said the city’s power is unclear, and she will consult staff attorneys.

DOWNTOWN APARTMENTS HIT THE MARKET

Three of downtown Lakeland’s landmark apartment properties are up for sale, representing a major share of the city’s urban housing. Lake Mirror Tower, NoBay, and The Gardens include 223 apartments and several retail spaces. All are owned by Broadway Real Estate Services and sit within about 0.8 miles of each other around Lake Mirror. The properties are being marketed as a single portfolio to large investors. The developments were built with support from city incentives at a time when it was unclear whether downtown living would appeal to renters. Over the past decade, that concept has become reality. City officials say they don’t see the sale as a red flag or an owner retreating from downtown, but rather a sign that downtown Lakeland’s housing market has matured and entered a new phase. With 95.5% occupancy, the properties are being pitched as “institutionalquality” assets.

WELCOME TO WAADIZI, MICHIGAN!

Congratulations to local author, Dwight L. MacPherson! His book, “Welcome to Waadizi, Michigan!” is available to order as a hardcover, paperback, or eBook on Amazon. In Waadizi, Michigan, people vanish. Memory erodes. Truth sinks. Through interconnected stories, one man’s search for his missing mother uncovers the terrifying secret his town has learned to live with.

AAPI CULTURAL CELEBRATION

May 9, 6 – 9 p.m. at Bonnet Springs Park. Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage with performances, food, and fun for the whole family. Groups from Japan, India, Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, and beyond take the stage, while local vendors serve up authentic Asian and Polynesian cuisine. FREE to attend and open to all. bonnetspringspark.com

POLK TOP 10

BANDIT MARKET SUMMER PARTY

May 2, noon – 5 p.m. at Bowen Yard. Celebrate the tenth Bandit Market with us! Summer is hot, but Bandit Market is hotter! Shop the coolest vendors from all over Central Florida for vintage clothing & homeware, original art, handmade pieces, baked goods, and more. Enjoy live music & more surprises to celebrate the tenth market!

IG @thebanditmarket

WALTER PARKS

May 17, 7 p.m. at Gram Parsons Derry Down in Winter Haven. Walter Parks grew up in North Florida. His research and unique reimagining of the hollers, hymns, and reels of swamp homesteaders are archived in The Library of Congress. Walter is the leader of two Americana roots groups, Swamp Cabbage (electric-folk/rock) and The Unlawful Assembly (reimagined spirituals). gpderrydown.com

TELETHON

May 7 at 6 p.m. until May 8 at 6 p.m. Parker Street Ministries is hosting a 24-hour Livestream Telethon, a day filled with stories, worship, generosity, and community. Every hour will showcase the impact of their year-round programs, highlight community partners, and invite viewers to give toward transforming lives in the Parker Street neighborhood and beyond. psmlakeland.org

May 22 – 24 at Lakeland Community Theatre. This musical follows key Founding Fathers, including John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, as they grapple with the decision to declare independence from the British monarchy. This performance showcases the challenges they faced that led to the birth of a new nation. lakelandcommunitytheatre.com

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE

May 8, 6 p.m. at Munn Park. Hear country music recording artist Eli Mosley brings his signature sound & strong vocals. This free, familyfriendly event will have a wide variety of food and drink vendors, along with local vendors to shop. Bring your chairs and blankets for an evening of live music under the stars in Downtown Lakeland. downtownlkld.com

SPCA RUN FOR THEIR LIVES 5K

May 23, 7 a.m. at Peterson Park in Lakeland. Run or walk with your four-legged companion. Enjoy a continental breakfast, an awards ceremony, and the powerful feeling of knowing your participation helps give animals a second chance. Every step supports compassion, community, and hope. spcaflorida.org

MAYFAIRE BY-THE-LAKE

May 9 & 10 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on the shores of Lake Morton in Downtown Lakeland. Mayfaire features more than 150 artist booths and is one of the oldest arts festivals in Central Florida. Mayfaire has been ranked among Sunshine Artist Magazine’s “200 Best Art Shows” for ten years in a row. mayfairebythelake.org

FAIRYTALE TREATS

May 31, 4 p.m. at Enchanted Fairytale Hollow. Join Moana for themed refreshments, an immersive stage show & storybook experience incorporating storytelling, costume changes, interactive activities, and sing-alongs. Plus, a Meet and Greet with Photo Op. Must register in advance, find more info on FB @EnchantedFairytaleHollow.

Best Of 2026

ORLANDO TOP 10

GUIDED KAYAKING

Go kayaking in crystal clear kayaks at Rock Springs with crystal clear water, only a short distance from Orlando. This adventure includes an intermediate paddle upstream through Emerald Cut starting from Kings Landing, with a relaxing drift back to the launch site. Groups are small, open every day. Register online at getupandgokayaking.com.

ORLANDO PRIDE SC

Watch the National Women’s Soccer League team, Orlando Pride, play three times at home in May at the Inter&Co Stadium. They play the Washington Spirit on May 2 at 4 p.m. They go up against the North Carolina Courage on May 8 at 8 p.m. Finally, they play the Bay Football Club on May 29 at 7 p.m. orlandocitysc.com/pride

NIGHT BIKE TOUR

Explore Orlando after dark on a guided bike ride through Downtown and nearby neighborhoods. You’ll make stops at a few local favorite bars with time to grab a drink. The route moves through Downtown, Mills 50, and Ivanhoe Village. Bikes and helmets are provided. The ride is relaxed and welcoming. orlandobiketours.com

MOTHER’S DAY IKEBANA

May 3 at 2 p.m. at Leu Gardens. Make a traditional Japanese Ikebana floral arrangement for Mother’s Day for yourself or to give as a gift. You will learn how to arrange flowers with simplicity, seasonality, movement, and harmony. All materials are provided. Register in advance, includes admission to the Gardens. leugardens.org

EPCOT FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW

Throughout May at EPCOT. Walk around the world to see the perfectly trimmed topiaries and flowers. Try international food from over 20 outdoor kitchens, see a live show at the Garden Rocks Concert Series, shop for limited edition merch, check out Exhibit Hall, and don’t forget the Instagram-worthy selfies.

SHAKEN & STIRRED

Learn how to make upscale cocktails in an intimate setting at The Edison at Disney Springs at 1 p.m. May 9: Gin vs. Vodka Core Cocktail. It’s the great martini debate. Learn the techniques to shake (or stir) your perfect version. May 23: Frozen. Beat the heat and learn to create elevated frozen cocktails. Registration required. theedisonfla.com

BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA

May 1 – 31 at Theater On The Edge (TOTE). John and his daughter Caitlyn are birders. This play takes a close look at their relationship over a decade. TOTE is a cinematic theater experience with immersive sets, cinematic elements, and the energy of a live performance. It’s like watching a film live onstage. theaterontheedge.org

ORLANDO FRINGE FESTIVAL

May 12 – 25 at various locations in Orlando. Guests will love the live entertainment, unique theatre experiences, visual art displays, kid-friendly shows and activities, and free outdoor concerts. It’s a full celebration of independent artists, and it’s the oldest Fringe Festival in the US. Full schedule and ticket info at orlandofringe.org.

THE MILK RUN 5K

May 2, 7:30 a.m. Participants will run through the historic streets of Downtown Orlando while enjoying the sights and sounds of the Milk District. TG Lee Dairy will host an after-party with plenty of fun and milk for everyone. Participants are encouraged to dress in cow or milkthemed costumes. The Kid’s HalfPint Fun Run is for ages 7 and under. More info on FB @TheMilkDistrict.

SAMANTHA BEE

May 17 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Dr. Phillips Center. Samantha Bee keeps it real in this one-woman show called “How to Survive Menopause.” She covers everything she’s learned from the ups, downs, and rage rollercoasters of menopause. This show is perfect for anyone who’s going through it, has gone through it, or will be going through it. drphillipscenter.org

With more than 50,000 square feet of galleries, interactive labs, and learning spaces, plus a growing permanent collection of over 3,400 objects, The AGB Museum of Art is a vibrant hub where Lakeland connects through art, education, and community. Come see art from a whole new perspective, right in the heart of Lakeland, FL.

TAMPA TOP 10

SUNKEN GARDENS

Open every day in the heart of St. Pete. Sunken Gardens is a lush, tropical oasis home to more than 50,000 exotic tropical plants and birds from around the world, including its iconic flamingo flock. Picnic lunches are permitted. Several of the historic paths are ADAaccessible and span three-fourths of a mile. sunkengardens.org

May 6 – 31 at the Straz Center. This 2023 Broadway revival follows two desperate people in the Bronx as they walk the line between destruction and transcendence. As their initial reserve begins to melt and they decide to spend the night together, the possibility of a genuine relationship begins. strazcenter.org

TAMPA BAY RAYS

The Tampa Bay Rays play 15 times at home in May at Tropicana Field. The Rays play the Giants, Blue Jays, Marlins, Orioles, and Angels. May 1 is Hello Kitty Day, May 3 is AAPI Heritage Day, May 4 is Star Wars Day, and May 29 is Colombian Heritage Day. Get tickets and full schedule at mlb.com/rays.

May 9, at the City Marina in Downtown Safety Harbor. Events include a 10k, 5k, 1-mile Walk, Woof & Roll (dogs & strollers welcome), a Flower Child Fun Run, and the “Keep on Truckin’ Challenge” to run the 10k AND the 5k. Walk or run dressed in your best hippie outfit and stay for the post-race party. Proceeds benefit Goodwill. Register at goodwill-suncoast.org.

ARMATURE WORKS BOAT SHOW

May 1 – 3 at Armature Works. This family-friendly show spans nearly 400,000 square feet along the Hillsborough River. The show features a mix of family boats, pontoons, and recreational vessels from local dealers, along with boating accessories, fishing gear, and marine lifestyle brands. Free admission. armatureworks.com

WILD WEEKEND BRUNCH

May 10, 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. at Zoo Tampa. Celebrate Mother’s Day at this decadent brunch featuring a carving station, chef-inspired specials, desserts, and bottomless mimosas. Each seating features visits from your favorite Zoo characters and an up-close animal experience with one of the animal ambassadors. Reserve in advance at zootampa.org.

TAMPA BAY ROWDIES

The Rowdies are a pro soccer team in the United Soccer League. They play at Al Lang Stadium in St. Pete. Watch the Rowdies play at home twice in May. They play on May 2 at 7:30 p.m. vs. Indy Eleven, and then again on May 23 at 7:30 p.m. against the Phoenix Rising FC. Get tickets at rowdiessoccer.com.

SIX

May 12 – 17 at the Straz. The SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix 500 years of historical heartbreak into a celebration of 21st-century girl power. This new original musical is straight from Broadway. Upgrade your tickets to the Premium Experience for your own private bar & more perks. strazcenter.org

MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU

May 4, 5:45 – 7:30 p.m. at MOSI in the state-of-the-art Saunders Planetarium. In honor of May the Fourth, join the 501st Legion for photos and build a “pool noodle” light saber. End the night with a special talk and immersive planetarium show exploring the real science behind a galaxy far, far away. Registration is required. mosi.org

PARENTS’ TIME OFF

May 15, 5:30 – 10 p.m. at the Florida Aquarium. For kids ages 5 – 12. Parents can go out and have fun while their kids dive into aquatic fun, hands-on activities, and adventures. Go out and recharge while the kids explore, learn, and play in a safe space designed just for them. Register at flaquarium.org.

“But after so many years, I knew what to do with hope. I held it an arm’s length away.” — Laura Taylor Namey, “The Library of Lost Things”

Hope is not an abstract concept for Travis Doodles. It is not something he studies from a distance or discusses in theory. Hope is something he encounters face to face— on sidewalks, in parking lots, beneath overpasses, and across folding tables set up for shared meals. In Lakeland, hope often arrives through conversation, consistency, and the radical decision to see people as more than their circumstances.

After living in New Jersey for 18 years, Travis moved to Lakeland for college and, as he says with a laugh, “just never left. I moved to Tampa, Brandon, and just kept going.” Wherever he landed, he noticed the same thing; people living on the margins, often unseen. And wherever he noticed it, he felt compelled to get involved. “I’ve always done some sort of homeless ministry,” Travis

explains. “I just never really documented it to the world.” Long before his work would reach millions online, Travis’s career unfolded behind the camera. Reality television gave him a crash course in Hollywood’s chaos. It was fast paced, image driven, and relentlessly demanding. That experience eventually led to a high profile job documenting the daily life of a billionaire: every meeting, every meal, every carefully curated moment.

From the outside, it looked like a success. But inside, something felt hollow. “I thought it was stupid,” Travis said candidly. “There’s nothing wrong with having nice things, but it felt pointless.” The work no longer aligned with who he was becoming, or who he felt called to be. “I had money, and I decided I would give it all away.” It was not an impulsive decision, but a deeply intentional one.

With the full support of his wife Amber, Travis walked away from a six figure salary and toward a life marked by uncertainty, sacrifice, and purpose.

That transition did not happen overnight. It began simply by filming encounters with people experiencing homelessness and sharing those moments on YouTube. The videos were honest and unfiltered, capturing stories often ignored. They resonated in a way Travis never expected.

They went viral.

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What followed was a series of organic connections that reshaped Travis’s life. One introduction led to another. Resources appeared. Doors opened. An ice cream truck. A pizza truck. Community members offered help without being asked. None of it was carefully planned; all of it grew through relationships and trust.

Eventually, Travis secured a building where people could be brought back for additional services. By connecting that space with his mobile outreach, Worth and Purpose was born. The organization now hosts special events designed to help the homeless in other ways. They host a weekly church service where they not only deliver ministry, but they can also get a haircut or eat a meal at a table with others. These events are intentionally woven into their outreach. Joy is not an afterthought; it is part of the mission.

Working with local churches and organizations, including Gospel Inc., One More Child, Lighthouse Ministries, and Talbot House, Worth and Purpose acts as a bridge between outreach efforts and life on the streets. Travis was intentional about building something that challenged the traditional nonprofit model. “I didn’t want it to look like everything else,” he said. Rather than focusing on limited hours or short term solutions, Travis envisioned something relational and ongoing. His mission was not simply to feed someone for a day or provide services during business hours. “I want to do life with people,” he explains.

That philosophy means being available around the clock. It means answering phone calls late at night. It means showing up when there’s a crisis and staying when things get uncomfortable. Over time, relationships deepen. Names are remembered. Stories are known. Trust is built.

They become family.

This kind of work demands more than good intentions. It requires emotional endurance, flexibility, and a willingness to carry burdens alongside others. “It’s not for the faint of heart,” Travis admits. “It’s a calling.” On any given day, that calling requires wearing many hats.

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Worth and Purpose offers practical support like free haircuts, food, and clothing, but it doesn’t stop there. At special events, participants might find themselves playing mini golf, laughing over shared meals, or simply being treated like everyone else in the room. These moments are intentional. Everyone deserves experiences that restore dignity and remind them they are more than their situation. Each person arrives at homelessness through a unique set of circumstances. None of those circumstances erases the human desire to learn, grow, and experience joy.

Much of what Travis does is self taught. He picked up his first camera long before YouTube existed, learning through trial, error, and relentless determination. When a new skill is required, he finds a way to learn it. When a new challenge arises, he figures out the next step.

When asked what the best part of his work is, Travis doesn’t hesitate. “It’s the people, the hope, and seeing the transformation,” he says. “A lot of the people we meet feel like it’s over. And then we come into their lives and turn things upside down, in the best way possible. You can actually see them come back to life.”

Help comes in many forms, raising money, buying a camper, helping someone regain stability, but it’s always rooted in relationships. “We do life with them the same way you would help your own family,” he explains. “It doesn’t check the normal nonprofit boxes.”

At the heart of everything Travis does, is his faith. “God changed my life,” he said. “And I believe everyone has the same purpose: love God and love people. If you focus on that, everything else will make sense.”

Through four years of this work, Travis has come to a sobering conclusion. “In my experience, the mindset that I have come across is, you either love homeless people, or you hate them. There’s no middle ground. And that hurts,” he explained. “These are human beings, and they’re not treated like it.”

As Polk County’s landscape continues to change, the impact on the homeless community has become increasingly visible. Other local ministries, such as Talbot House, have faced community resistance while attempting to expand services, highlighting the tension between growth, comfort, and compassion.

When asked to describe his work in one word, Travis laughs. “I can’t do it in one word,” he says. “I can do it in four: Love God. Love People.” It sounds simple, but it is not easy. We pass people on the streets every day. Sometimes we look away. Sometimes we pretend not to see them. But ignoring people does not make them disappear.

His life scripture is Matthew 5:16: “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Travis is doing this, one encounter at a time. Get involved and join the movement at travisdoodles.com.

Info@worthandpurpose.org

Instagram: @TravisDoodles

Facebook: TravisDoodles

YouTube: @TravisDoodles

1329 East Main Street, Lakeland

863-688-8551

WORDS

Alexa Estevez

PHOTOGRAPHS

Amy Sexson

MARIA PETIT FOOD BOUTIQUE

If you’re looking for a restaurant that feels like you’re visiting a dear friend of yours who made you a home-cooked meal, Maria Petit Food Boutique is the perfect spot. With antique wooden furniture painted in neutral and green colors, framed wall baskets with childhood trinkets and plants along the windowsills, it feels both welcoming and comforting from the moment you step in.

“You get here, and you don’t feel like you’re eating at a restaurant. You feel at home, as if you’re at a friend’s house,” said Maria Franco, “and that’s the vibe we went for.”

Growing up in Brazil, Maria shared about spending her vacation days at her family’s farm, where she learned how to plant herbs, pick fruit from the trees, and make delicious meals that have inspired her to this day. Although her entire family cooked, Maria shared that it was her grandmother who taught her all the cooking lessons. “My grandma was my biggest inspiration,” shared Maria, “and I used to spend all my vacation time with her. Even if my mom wouldn’t go, I would catch the bus and say, ‘I’m going.’”

Her favorite thing to make with her grandmother was a knotted Brazilian cheese bread called nozinho de queijo, which translates to “little knot cheese” of mozzarella. Meant to be eaten with coffee or tea, she shared that the small pastry wasn’t hard to make but that it took a lot of time because you had to prepare the dough, bake it, then dip it into a

caramel-like sugar, and wait for it to crystallize. She laughed as she remarked, “That was our favorite thing because it took the whole afternoon to make, and then we would eat it in seconds.”

The name Maria Petit reflects the origin of Maria’s vision, when she began to create her own special bite-sized delicacies for others. She started with small treats such as the very famous Brazilian chocolate truffle dessert, the brigadeiro. She also makes Parmesan cookies, peanut butter protein balls, and delicious alfajores, which are delicate sugar cookies filled with guava or coated in chocolate with a creamy center, and coxinha, a Brazilian chicken croquette known on her menu as chicken potato balls. These appetizing bites were the start of Maria’s creations when she catered weddings and parties, bringing a taste of authenticity and uniqueness to every event.

As word spread, Maria decided to “get things going” and make more than just her small treats. She began to cook healthy, protein-rich meals in a commissary kitchen until the opportunity arose to purchase what would become the perfect space for her home-inspired dining experience. “It actually was a house,” Maria said. “We were able to acquire it, renovate everything, and here we are, seven years later.”

Before officially opening the food boutique five years ago, Maria shared that her food was inspired by her journey to better nourish her body while navigating a health issue. That’s

when she began to cook low-carb meals made with the right nutrients to fuel her body. These meals included mushroom quinoa bowls, chicken pesto sandwiches, feijoada, which is a Brazilian sausage and beef stew, and Mediterranean salads.

As she cooked these life-changing dishes, a good friend of hers, Lisa Cleaves, a licensed esthetician in Winter Haven, told her, “Maria, you have to bring this to other people.” And so, she did.

She started to make customized meal plans for people who wanted to eat healthier and feel better. Those meal plans quickly became a success with people in the community, and they’ve continued to be one of the main reasons customers keep returning. Each entree can be allergen-adjusted and gluten or soy-free.

As Maria shares her specialty with others, she understands that life can get busy. On those long days when you’re tired and just want a reliable dinner made with high-quality ingredients, she provides exactly that and might even let you take the credit for it. “I wanted to have family meals that a mother can feel good about,” said Maria. “A meal that when she gets home, she can place it on a plate and say, ‘I made it.’”

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June-July

FIRE FESTIVAL WITH THE CARIBBEAN CHILLERS: TRIBUTE TO JIMMY BUFFET

FRIDAY, MAY 1 · 6PM

MOTHER’S DAY AT THE GARDENS

SUNDAY, MAY 10 · FREE ADMISSION FOR MOM

WAWA SUMMER FUN DAYS FREE ADMISSION

28-29

JUNE 25-26 JULY 30-31

AUGUST 27-28

SUMMER FAIRY FESTIVAL

SATURDAY, JUNE 6

FOSSIL FESTIVAL

SATURDAY, JUNE 27

With plans to extend her business hours, Maria hopes to make her comfort food more accessible not only to the people who dine in but also to people getting off work and looking for a delicious, clean, and flavor-filled meal. “These are the things that I have on my heart,” she said, “because then people aren’t just stopping anywhere and grabbing whatever.”

Since being raised on a farm and discovering the impact that diet changes can have on your health, Maria says it has deeply influenced how she views food and its quality. “My food is very homey and authentic, very farm-to-table,” she said. With a favorite of hers being the tuna garbanzo salad, Maria adds, “It’s a big thing for me that the food is actually healthy and good for you.”

As Maria continues to make food that nourishes your body, she’s also working to change the narrative about the misconception of healthy foods not satisfying your taste buds. “I don’t always like to use the word ‘healthy’ because it can scare people,” she explained. “They think it won’t taste good. But that’s what I’m trying to break.”

One of those inclusions on her menu are the juices that aren’t fully pressed, but are instead blended with the whole fruit to keep its

nutrients. “I believe it’s better for you when you have the whole fruit in there,” she said, “so we can conserve all the good stuff and not only the sugar of the juice.” A customer favorite is the green juice, which is a blend of pineapple, ginger, spinach, and kiwi.

While many of her offerings focus on nutrition, Maria also embraces her customers’ desire for sweet indulgences. She bakes melt-in-your-mouth cakes like the dulce de leche pineapple cake, a longtime favorite of her daughter. She also makes white chocolate and strawberry cakes and the classic “grandma cakes,” as she calls them, such as classic chocolate, vanilla, and lemon.

In addition to her meals, you might notice an array of unique keepsakes, including crochet animals, teacups, and books. These eye-catching items aren’t just for decoration—they’re a meaningful extension of her dream. Maria creates customized gourmet gift boxes displayed in acrylic containers and wrapped with a bow. Each box is thoughtfully designed for any occasion, whether it’s welcoming a new baby, supporting a sick friend, or simply showing appreciation to someone you care about. When you request a gift box, it is carefully curated with homemade items like soups, baked goods, and specialty treats made in-house, along with handselected products sourced locally or through trusted partners. Rather than offering pre-made packages, Maria personalizes

each box to reflect the needs and personality of the special person they’re for.

“It’s a thoughtful, gourmet gift,” says Maria. “You tell me about your friend—what they’re like—and we’ll customize something that fits their personality.”

From her beginnings as a young farm girl with a passion for cooking to now serving the Auburndale and Polk County communities with authentic, nutritious meals, Maria has created more than just a place to enjoy a bite to eat. She has built a space that extends her childhood memories into something deeply meaningful that reflects her passion for healthier and happier living. Through both her food and her boutique offerings, Maria Petit Food Boutique reflects the heart behind it all: helping people feel seen, nourished, and truly at home.

MARIA PETIT FOOD BOUTIQUE

227 E Lake Ave, Auburndale

Facebook: mariapetitfoodboutique

Instagram @mariapetitfood

WORDS

Shari’ Wright-Richard PHOTOGRAPH Amy Sexson

GUIDING LIGHTHOUSE

Generally, people don’t learn independence, independently. In the best of circumstances, the lesson of self-sufficiency is guided by a person/people with good intentions and care. In the case of the local, visually impaired community, Lighthouse is the guide.

Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision is a non-profit organization that provides services and resources for the population in its title. The mission is for these individuals to be able to maneuver independent living according to their age, ability, and desire, with the ultimate goal of gaining employment.

“Our goal is to teach people how to be independent, and that looks really different for all ages and backgrounds and [when considering] people’s individual goals. We also have a main goal of helping people gain employment, and that can be challenging for those who are visually impaired, so we provide lots of training on technology skills, orientation, and mobility, and how to live at home independently,” explains Elizabeth Wade, who has worked for Lighthouse since 2017. The support from Lighthouse, located in Downtown Winter Haven, serves all of Polk and Hardee Counties. They develop autonomy and foster a space for individuals to find a collective where their disability isn’t unique or ostracizing.

The core initiatives are Employment Programs; Independent Living; the Veteran’s Program; Statewide Rehabilitation Engineering; and the age specific programs. The Early Intervention program helps infants and toddlers; the Children’s Program is for ages 5-13; and the Transition for Teens program prepares teens for college, the workforce, and independent living.

The teens of Lighthouse can be seen working once a month at the Winter Havens Farmers Market to learn mobility skills (while navigating the market), social skills (how to speak and interact with people), and job skills (hosting the stand and presenting items they make for customers). The adults of Lighthouse are learning to utilize new devices to help facilitate social interaction at work and in the general public. They also learn transportation solutions to aid in shaping a good quality of life, all while being emotionally supported through the difficulty of vision loss.

Wade, a teacher for students with visual impairments and a certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist in Polk County Public Schools and with Lighthouse, further explains what the routines of some programs may be. “My job is to primarily work with the transition program for the teenagers. We have a year-round program where we work with them every other Saturday, and we do different activities. Some involve

working at the [Farmers] Market … and events where we’re working with them on cooking skills, on technology skills, and this looks different for all of our students. We do ‘Home Mobility’ day where we teach them how to use a public bus to get around in the community. In the summer, we have a five-week-long work experience program. They have a week to prepare and go shopping and get their work clothes and practice their different job skills. Then the next four weeks, they actually go to a business and work.”

Of the various offerings of Lighthouse, the Transitions for Teens program appears to have a special imprint on all involved. Through a quick giggle, Clarisma Vargas-Lopez, 16, shares her favorite part of Lighthouse, “definitely the summer program when we get paid … And technically we don’t get paid, we get a stipend,” with a smile that can be heard, she continues, “I really like when they take us out, and let us walk around and shop. I really like that.” Vargas-Lopez is a 10th grader at George Jenkins High School with glaucoma (an eye disease that damages the optic nerve and causes vision loss) and Peters Anomaly, which caused her to lose her left eye at age four. In school, she uses a Clover Book - a magnifier that enhances anything she puts under it. With the tutelage of “Ms. Elizabeth,” she’s learning to use Jaws (Job Access With Speech), a screen reader.

- CONTINUED ON PAGE 31 -

Vargas-Lopez is ready for whatever awaits her with Lighthouse because everything they put forth is enjoyable and useful. “Us teenagers get sent around to different places. My first year, I went to Party City and the last two years, I’ve been at a horse ranch, mucking stalls, raking fields, grooming the horses, bathing the horses … I love the outdoors and I love animals so it was very fitting. I loved it. It was a really amazing experience.”

Wade’s favorite part of Lighthouse has been watching the teens demonstrate their capabilities in a work environment, “Showing the employer and jobsites, ‘Hey, people with visual impairments can do this, they can do these jobs.” Because of Lighthouse, Wade gets to be with the students in multiple arenas, wearing multiple titles. In school and on weekends, she’s their teacher. She’s their job coach in the summer. The amount of time spent promotes a relationship beyond a basic student and instructor bond. She is afforded the chance to learn about the kids on a personal level and truly champion their growth. Most notably, she gets to earn a place with them as a trusted mentor.

Vargas-Lopez describes her development as a result of her participation at Lighthouse, “...my confidence [in] my awareness of my disability. Before [this] I was never surrounded by people that were like me. Once you’re put in that situation, you go like ‘Oh, this is ok to have, it’s ok to live with. I’m not as different as every other kid.’” Clarisma recognizes that she may be rare in a traditional group of youth, but understands that it shouldn’t hinder what she can have or do in the world. Her disability is but another feature in the very full person she is. Eager, confident, and excited to brave her bright future further illuminated by Lighthouse. “And, yes, I am different, but it’s not something that should be held against me. I deserve as much as everyone else does … and I should be able to advocate and ask for those things. Lighthouse and Ms. Elizabeth taught me that.”

Clarisma may have visual limitations, yet her time with Lighthouse is proving that her vision for life is vast. Her story is what the organization stands on, a disability will not take your independence, as long as you have a light for a guide.

Cody Burgess

Chris Sexson

ALL EYES ON SEBRING

The roar arrives before the view. At Sebring’s notorious turn seven, a tight and punishing hairpin, the bone-shaking sound of prototype V8 engines can be felt as much as heard. The most advantageous view of turn seven can be had by hotel balcony or elaborate homemade viewing towers constructed on site by campers and die-hard fans. Overlooking the track, spectators are introduced to one of endurance racing’s most famous and unforgiving corners. During the week of Twelve Hours of Sebring, settings like this define it as authentically Central Florida, and a defining event on the global racing calendar.

Held annually in March over a span of four days, Twelve Hours of Sebring draws an estimated 100,000 visitors each year, 2026 saw 115,000 spectators. The event boasts a complete calendar of non-stop racing, fan celebrations, car parades, and concerts. The rest of the year, Sebring is a modest town with fewer than 12,000 residents. Despite its unassuming appearance of flat terrain, open skies, and minimal urban development - the event transforms the area into an international hub. Organized under the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), the race attracts elite teams, manufacturers, and fans from around the world. The Twelve Hours of Sebring isn’t just a race we live near; it’s a global motorsport institution many may not fully appreciate.

At the center of it all is Sebring International Raceway, a circuit defined as much by its history as by its difficulty. Originally constructed from a World War II-era airfield, the track retains large sections of its original concrete runways. The result is a notoriously uneven surface, identifiable by cracks, seams, and abrupt transitions that punish suspension systems and test driver fortitude. Unlike smoother, modern circuits, Sebring demands constant adaptation, forcing teams to strike a delicate balance between speed and reliability. For this reason, it has long been considered essential preparation for the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, where similar endurance challenges await on an even larger stage.

The paddock offers a behind-the-scenes look at the precision and coordination required to compete at this

level. Temporary yet highly sophisticated, these mobile headquarters function as laboratories, workshops, and strategic command centers. Flags from across the world line the rows of transporters and garages, reflecting the international makeup of the field. Major manufacturers including Ferrari, Porsche, Cadillac, Ford, Acura, McLaren, Lexus, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz, and more bring their most advanced machines - each engineered to withstand hours of continuous stress. Rows of Michelin’s toughest racing tires are swapped onto wheels with speed and precision. Engineers monitor telemetry in real time while mechanics perform rapid adjustments, often working within tight margins where even minor changes can have significant consequences.

Trackside, the pit lane delivers some of the most intense moments of the event. Here, the race unfolds in bursts of controlled chaos. As cars peel off the circuit and dive into their designated boxes, pit crews spring into action with practiced precision. Tire changes, refueling, and mechanical adjustments are executed in a matter of seconds, often in less than half a minute. Meanwhile, other cars continue to blast down the straight just feet away, creating an environment defined by noise, speed, and split-second timing. In endurance racing, these brief stops can determine the outcome as much as the laps themselves.

Beyond competition, the event also serves as a venue for manufacturers to showcase their latest performance vehicles and technological innovations. Away from the track, fans can explore displays featuring newly released sports cars and concept models, offering a glimpse into the future of automotive design and engineering. This blend of competition and exhibition reinforces Sebring’s role not only as a race, but as a celebration of automotive culture.

Yet what truly distinguishes Sebring is not just the racing, but the atmosphere that surrounds it. The infield transforms into a sprawling, high-energy community that feels as much like a festival as a sporting event. Among the most iconic areas is the fan-favorite Green Park colloquially known as “The Zoo,” where campers, tents, and RVs fill every available space. Many spectators arrive days in advance,

establishing elaborate setups that include custom-built viewing platforms rising above the crowd. Music drifts across the grounds, grills fire up throughout the day, and the sense of camaraderie is unmistakable. Here, the spectators are not passive observers - they are active participants in the experience, contributing to the event’s unique character.

Sebring’s legacy is further defined by the legends who have conquered its unforgiving surface. Over the decades, the circuit has crowned some of the greatest names in motorsport, including Mario Andretti, Ken Miles, Tom Kristensen, and Olivier Gendebien. Even Steve McQueen, widely known for his passion for motorsports and Porsche, came close to victory in 1970 before being bested by Andretti and Ferrari. McQueen’s iconic run alongside his teammates underscored Sebring’s unique ability to bridge the worlds of motorsport and popular culture.

The most recent high-octane showdown of the Twelve Hours concluded just a little over a month ago. Emerging victorious was the formidable Porsche Penske Motorsport squad, with Felipe Nasr, Julien Andlauer, and Laurin Heinrich expertly navigating the track to claim the top spot.

For all its international prestige, the Twelve Hours of Sebring remains remarkably grounded. Its setting may lack the glamour associated with other major racing venues, but what it offers instead is authenticity. There is a rawness to Sebring – both in the track and the people who call themselves fans. It is this authenticity that continues to draw fans from all over the globe year after year.

Ultimately, Sebring stands as a reminder that world-class events sometimes are not far from home. For us within reach, it offers an opportunity to witness a truly unique spectacle - one where history, innovation, and community converge over twelve relentless hours of racing.

2027 Twelve Hours of Sebring March 17 - 20, 2027 sebringraceway.com

THE LURE

A short story by Jeremy Gardner

For a hundred and eight years the Norman Hotel stood sentinel over the town of Barlow, like the gnomon at the center of an enormous, ominous sundial. Old-timers called it “The Bank” or “The Norm,” but to their children (most of them now in their forties and fifties) it had a number of more dismissive nicknames, “The Blight,” “The Thumb,” “The Tomb,” “The Eyesore,” and most derisively: “That Big Pile of Shit on Central.” Their grandparents would have called it simply, “The Building.”

Not long after it went up, a biblical-scale citrus blight swept across the state, decimating the orange groves and laying waste to the very industry that had necessitated the hotel’s construction in the first place. Barlow slowly wilted in kind.

In those post-bust years, The Norm found its footing for a time as a bank, and then a mostly empty office building, before a bizarre stint as a bible college. Baptist. A massive antenna was erected on the roof to facilitate the broadcasting of fire and brimstone sermons. Eventually, mercifully, it was converted to low-income housing, but when the last of its residents died or were driven out in the eighties, The Norman sat empty for decades. A twelve-story concrete middle finger in the middle of town.

The stubborn erection on a corpse.

From the outside, it was a mausoleum. But on the inside, it was very much alive. Waiting. Stirring. Becoming something else.

The first time Patrick delivered there, the girl was on the sixth floor.

One large cheese pizza. Nothing else. No toppings, no bottle of pop. The precise minimum order required for delivery. He confirmed the address three times before he drove out there.

“This is in the Norman building? Is that right?”

“That’s right.”

“Downtown on Central?”

“Yep.”

“In Barlow?”

“Listen bud, just take it to the tallest building you see when you walk outside. I’m on six.” She hung up. She sounded cute.

In the Peppy Pizza parking lot, he tucked the hot bag into the backseat and shot a look over the roof of his car. Even two miles away, in the dark, The Norman loomed over the town like a fairy tale tower. And on this night, halfway up the edifice, for the first time in his lifetime…

— “I’ll be damned.”

A single window glowed warm with orange light.

On the radio, a call-in show about ghostly encounters and bigfoot sightings warbled while the building pulled him through a maze of backroads and side streets toward it, until he couldn’t see the top floors anymore. Until the whole thing filled the windshield.

The old hotel exhaled when he opened the front door. The lobby was dark and cavernous. Mid-century sofas and ghost-sheeted armchairs slouched in the shadows like toadstools.

In the elevator, ancient cables squealed awake and winched the car up the throat of the building like the last of too many tequila shots. Pat fussed with his hair in the mirrored wall because she sounded cute. Sometimes he couldn’t stand himself.

He knocked on 606.

“Just a sec!”

When the door swung open, he knew he was in trouble. She was cute.

“Hi.” She smiled. An invisible fishhook pulled a dimple in her cheek. “Come on in, I just gotta find my wallet.”

He mumbled something but didn’t move. The room was a grenade in a wardrobe. Clothes in piles and heaps and draped on everything. Everywhere but on hangers or in the drawers.

“You can set the pizza on the dresser there.” She picked up a pair of pants. Turned out the pockets. “Sorry, it’s such a mess.”

“It’s okay. I don’t live here.”

She laughed at this. An endearing little snort. Put her hands on her hips. “Is that why you won’t come in? Because it’s messy?”

“No that’s not it at all.”

“Then can you just… have a seat here while I—

“It’s fine, really. Take your time.”

She gave up looking for her wallet entirely. Cocked her head and crossed her arms. “Why won’t you come in?”

“I’m fine right here.” It was becoming banter. A

playful rat-a-tat routine between them.

“But I asked you to.”

“And I politely declined.”

“Isn’t the customer always right?”

“Rarely ever, actually.

“You think I’m gonna rob you or something?”

“No. Maybe not you…”

“What does that mean?”

“Well… Okay, long story short: We had this driver. Krystof. Polish guy. Found himself in a similar situation. Pretty lady. Very polite. Invites him in. He thinks nothing of it… Until her boyfriend comes out from behind the door and clocks him with a tire iron. Steals his money, takes his car. They had to sew his ear back on. Now we don’t go inside.”

She smiled, demure. “You think I’m pretty?”

He stuttered. She made an exaggerated show of pushing the door open all the way against the inside wall. “Nobody here but me. I won’t bite.”

“You ever notice how the only things that say they won’t bite are things that do?”

At this she rolled her eyes and shook her head and suddenly the His Girl Friday shtick evaporated. She stomped straight to the bedside table and magically, immediately found her wallet. Pat did his best to rekindle their flirtation. “Ohh, wow! Look at that, you found it—” but she just paid him and took the pizza and slammed the door.

In the elevator back down, he told his stupid reflection he blew it, and by the time he woke the following morning he didn’t remember ever having met her at all.

The Norman had a way of making people forget.

That night, before it had erased her entirely, he dreamt of her; but her face was a blur and his brain replaced it with that of his ex-wife. After the lunch rush the next day he made an extra mushroom, extra cheese, and took it to her house. Their old house. She opened the door just wide enough to tell him he couldn’t drop by whenever he wanted. He said he was sorry for the five hundredth time. She said he should have thought of that before he did what he did with Cat Benatar, the cover band singer with the whiskers and the tail and the pointy ears.

He offered her the pizza, “I made your favorite.”

“I’m making a lasagna,” she said. And then, “Don’t come here anymore.”

He gave the pie to a crust-punk kid with a skinny cur sitting outside the gas station. On his way back out all the mushrooms were picked off and piled on the curb for the dog.

“What, no pepperoni dude?”

A few nights later he got an order, just before closing. One large cheese pizza. Nothing else. He said there must be some mistake when she gave him the address.

“That’s the old Norman hotel.”

“It sure is.”

“But there’s nobody at The Norman.”

“Well then I must be a ghost.” She sounded cute. Outside he saw the light on in the tower across town for the first time again. On the radio someone said they found a bottomless pit in Oregon. They had lowered a mile-long cable with a recorder in a bucket on the end. They played a bunch of screeches and wails they claimed were the sounds of Hell. In the elevator he checked his breath in his cupped hand. Pizza, everything always smelled like pizza. She was a blonde that time. Showing more skin. In lieu of the lost wallet ruse she opted for blatant seduction. It backfired. Scared the shit out of him.

The Norman didn’t eat again that night.

Patrick parked at a roadside motel and sat in his car watching old videos from his fifteen minutes of fame. Clips of him doing stand-up. The beef jerky commercials that changed his life. He played The Jerky Devil. A redskinned demon with yellow eyes. Big horns and cloven hooves and a thick New Jersey accent. His catchphrase was “Quit jerkin me around!” It was a national ad campaign. Bought him the house his wife would take in the divorce. He didn’t watch the clip from a club in St. Louis titled, “Jerky Devil Guy Meltdown.”

He slept right there in his station wagon. Dreamed he was back on stage, bombing hard. The girl from The Norman was the only one laughing. From somewhere in the back, at one of those tiny cocktail tables with the tealights, she heckled him.

“Quit jerkin me around!”

The next night she was on the third floor. Short red hair and glasses that time. A dog-eared book under her arm. The room was neat and warm and she was playing shy and lonely. He asked what she was doing there. She spun some yarn about her father buying the building and

asking her to help him remodel it. She was an art student.

The elevator growled at him on the way down. Frustrated. Like a giant, empty stomach.

A week went by. He got a call for a large cheese. No toppings, no pop. She sounded cute though. He triplechecked the address. Saw the lure light in the sky across town for the first time, again, and then listened to a trucker on the radio talk about seeing a dogman running alongside his rig in the middle of nowhere, Wyoming. He was going sixty miles an hour, easy, the trucker said, and the dogman kept pace. Pat sat in his car to hear how the story ended. It wasn’t very satisfying. The dogman just disappeared into the prairie.

In the elevator he fixed his hair and wanted to punch his own pathetic face; and when the doors dinged open on twelve, someone was screaming.

“Help!”

His first instinct was to go back. Go down. Get out. He mashed the lobby button over and over. Such a coward. Then he heard her calling out again.

“Hello!”

Halfway down the hallway, a wedge of light spilled from an open doorway. Patrick hugged the opposite wall and crept toward the room.

“Is anybody there?!”

“I’m yes, I’m… hello? Are you okay?” He poked his head inside. The room was quiet. Tidy. He caught sight of himself in the mirror above the sink on the far wall and nearly laughed at how panicked he looked.

“Can you please help me? I’m—

“Where are you?”

“I’m in the bathroom, I…” The bathroom. The only blindspot. “Please just… I fell—”

“Okay let me call someone—”

“No, no, don’t! I’m so embarrassed.”

“Okay just, hang on.” He pushed the door open, flush to the wall. No one behind it. “I’m coming to help.”

When Pat finally crossed the threshold, the whole building shuddered. The lights flickered and hummed with excitement. He set the pizza on the dresser and made his way toward his reflection. Just outside the bathroom he stopped and covered his eyes with his hand.

“Are you decent? Should I… Hello?” Silence.

“Okay, I’m coming in.”

To the extent that it made any sense at all, it took him a moment to make sense of what he saw when he turned the corner into the little room. To his left, there was a shower. Right where it should be. Water running, steam filling the space. But there was no sound. He tore back the curtain and found the tub empty. There was no girl. And where the back wall should have been, all square tiles and grout, there was instead an impossible corridor. A void that stretched out in every direction. Black as deep space but for a lantern glow of light, like a firefly, a hundred yards away.

“Please, help me!” Her voice echoed up as if from a well and rushed him, urgent and forceful like a gust of wind. He stepped through the spray of the shower and into the darkness beyond it.

“I’m coming!” He tripped over something that scraped and scattered across the floor. He fished his phone out and fumbled the flashlight on.

Pizza boxes.

Kicked out like big breadcrumbs through a dark forest. He flipped one open with the toe of his shoe. Large cheese. No toppings.

“What is this?!”

“Are you coming or not?!” This time there was laughter.

He held his phone light out and squinted into the black and saw, with mounting horror, that the little glow in the distance was merely the tip of something else. Something huge and ancient and undulating. A lure at the end of a leviathan tongue.

She called out one last time, from all around him, “Quit jerkin me around!”

She didn’t sound so cute anymore.

Patrick flailed his little torchlight out to either side and above him, and the last thing he saw before the building swallowed him up were rows and rows of sharp, wet, recurved teeth.

They found his car in the parking lot the next day. They searched the Norman room by room, floor by floor, all the way to the roof. No sign of him anywhere.

On the radio show that night, someone called in with a story about a building that eats lonely people. She sounded cute.

WORDS

Shannon Carnevale

Natural Resources and Conservation Extension Agent

UF/IFAS Extension Polk County

PHOTO

UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones

CELEBRATING OUR NATIVE BEES

I know it’s at the very top of all your holiday plans, so I’m sure we’re all eagerly anticipating the celebrations for World Bee Day on May 20.

Don’t worry, I’m totally kidding! I would be so surprised if you even knew that World Bee Day was a holiday, but it is an international celebration of pollinators and bees.

All joking aside, the conversation around any bee celebrations usually center on the honeybee. And, while those managed hives are vital for our global food supply, they are only a small part of the story.

In Florida, we have over 300 species of native bees. These local specialists have been pollinating our wildflowers and forests since long before the first hives arrived with European settlers in the 1600s.

THEY AREN’T LOOKING FOR A FIGHT

The biggest hurdle to enjoying native bees is the fear of being stung. But if you learn one thing about our native bee species, let it be this: the majority of them are “solitary.”

Being a solitary species, which is one that does not form a community hive and spends the majority of its life alone, means they are less likely to sting. Because they don’t have a hive to protect or a queen to defend, they tend to be incredibly docile. On the contrary, a paper wasp or even a honeybee might get defensive because it is protecting its family and its winter food stores. Now, to be clear, European honeybees are typically very tame as well. Their general lack of aggression is what makes them such a good species for commercial and hobby beekeeping.

Your best bet for observing our native bees is to find a flowering plant, make yourself comfortable, and keep as still as you can. You’ll see honeybees, of course, but you’ll also see a wide variety of solitary bees flitting about and visiting flowers. You may also see some bee-mimics, like hoverflies (family Syrphidae), that are also very important pollinator species.

MORE THAN JUST YELLOW AND BLACK

If you stop and watch a patch of flowers for five minutes, you will realize that the little cartoon bees we all drew as children is an over-simplification of what our bees look like. Our native bee species are some of the most beautiful insects in Polk County and also, vary widely in appearance!

Our native bees can be as small as a grain of rice or as large as the width of a quarter; fuzzy or almost bare; brown and red or metallic blue and green; if you can dream it – there is probably a bee somewhere in the world with that look.

Easy to Identify Native Bees:

METALLIC GREEN SWEAT BEES: Sweat bees look like flying emeralds! They are small to medium sized and have a metallic sheen that catches the sunlight. I see them often on wildflowers, aquatic plants like pickerelweed and duck potato, and even on citrus blossoms.

EASTERN BUMBLEBEES: Bumblebees are LARGE and fuzzy. They can be quite scary to those who are unfamiliar with them due to their size, but they are a friendly species that are very charismatic if you stop to watch them. Note: These are a colony-forming species, not solitary.

LEAFCUTTER BEES: While they vary in size and color, the ones I see frequently are dark in color and have whitish stripes on the back of their abdomen. The easiest way to know you’re looking at a leafcutter bee is that they don’t carry pollen on their legs; instead, leafcutter bees carry pollen on the underside of their abdomen. It will look like they accidentally sat in a pile of pollen.

FINDING A HOME IN THE SAND

In Polk County, we are used to fighting against bare patches of sand in our lawns. However, that sand is prime real estate for about 70% of our native bees. While

honeybees need a hollow tree or a man-made box, many of our natives dig tiny tunnels directly into the ground.

Others look for “cavities,” such as old beetle holes in dead wood or the hollow centers of dried plant stems. When we are too quick to clear out every dead branch or cover every inch of soil with thick mulch, we may unintentionally remove the neighborhoods where these bees live.

HOW TO HELP THE LOCALS

If you want to support the “wild ones” in your own backyard, the best thing you can do is actually do less work.

EMBRACE A LITTLE BIT OF BARE DIRT: Leave a few patches of sandy soil uncovered for the ground-nesters.

PLANT FOR SPECIALISTS: Choose native flowering plants like the passionflower, coreopsis, beggar ticks, or saw palmetto.

HOLD THE SPRAY: Many garden “pests” are actually food for other wildlife, and many general insecticides don’t distinguish between a caterpillar and a harmless native bee. If applying insecticides, try to find specific formulations for the pest you’re dealing with and focus on spot-treatments rather than fogging or spraying everywhere.

By shifting our focus away from the hive and toward these individual native bees, we can start to appreciate the diversity that keeps the Florida Heartland in bloom. Next time you see a flash of metallic green or a fuzzy bee working in your garden or near your picnic, take a second to watch and try to remain calm.

If you have questions about the bees in your yard or want to know which plants will attract them, the UF/IFAS Extension Office in Bartow is happy to help. You can reach us at 863-519-1041 or visit us online at https://go.ufl.edu/polk

WORDS Anne Yasalonis Master Gardener Volunteer Program Residential Horticulture

COMPOSTING IN YOUR CENTRAL FLORIDA YARD

Composting is an easy and effective way to recycle in your yard. Both kitchen scraps and yard debris can be turned into compost, so you can reduce waste and create a beneficial soil amendment. Most households have everything they need to get started. Whether you have a small urban yard, a large suburban lot, or live in a deed-restricted community, there is a method of composting that will work for you. Basic knowledge of how the process works will ensure your success in creating usable compost.

Your compost pile requires five basic elements:

1. MOISTURE: Add water with a hose or bucket to your pile—a nearby rain barrel also works. The goal is 45-65% water. Use the “squeeze test” by squeezing a handful of compost in your hand. Moisture should coat your hand but not drip.

2. OXYGEN: Oxygen is added to your compost when you mix the pile. The more you mix and aerate, the more quickly the waste will break down into usable compost. Without adequate oxygen, your pile might have an odor.

3. TEMPERATURE: The temperature of your pile is important if you are using a “fast” composting method. It’s not so important if you are not concerned about making compost quickly.

4. PARTICLE SIZE: Ideally less than two inches so that the material can break down quickly. Cut up thick, tough leaves and fruits.

5. MIX OF GREEN AND BROWN MATERIALS: Brown materials are usually bulky and dry, and the green materials add the fuel (along with microbes) to break down the brown material. Green materials are high in nitrogen, while brown materials are high in carbon.

METHODS OF COMPOSTING

There are several composting methods to choose from, including cold composting, sheet

composting, trench composting, fast (or hot) composting, and vermicomposting. Each approach offers benefits depending on your time, materials, and composting goals.

Cold composting is one of the simplest methods. It involves layering “browns,” such as leaves and soil, with “greens,” like kitchen scraps, in a bin or pile. Materials are occasionally mixed and watered as needed. This low-effort option works well if you are not in a hurry to produce finished compost. However, it’s important to avoid adding weeds or diseased plant material.

Sheet composting is essentially composting in place. Yard debris such as leaves, grass clippings, and pruning waste is spread directly over landscape beds and used as mulch. As these materials break down, they enrich the soil with organic matter. If you’ve ever used fallen leaves as mulch, you’ve already practiced sheet composting.

Trench composting is a great method if you have kitchen scraps but limited yard waste. This method involves digging a hole or trench and burying food scraps beneath 4–6 inches of soil. It can be done around the base of established plants or within mulched beds, where the materials decompose and improve soil health over time.

Fast composting requires more active management but produces compost more quickly. In this method, the compost pile heats up (often over 100°) before cooling down as materials break down. The pile shrinks as it decomposes, allowing for additional material to be added. Proper moisture, frequent turning for aeration, and a balanced mix of browns and greens are essential. This is the only method that can safely incorporate weeds and diseased plant material.

Finally, vermicomposting uses worms to break down food scraps into nutrient-rich compost. While commercial worm bins are available, they can also be made at home very easily. The worms rapidly process the material, producing castings that are highly beneficial for plants. This method

is best suited for kitchen scraps and does not typically include yard waste. It works well in a small space or on a patio or balcony.

Composting is an easy, rewarding practice that turns everyday yard and kitchen waste into a valuable resource for your landscape. In your Central Florida yard, finished compost can be used to enrich vegetable and herb gardens and improve the soil in ornamental landscape beds. It can be mixed into soil to boost organic matter, used as a topdressing for lawns, or applied as mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. By composting, you not only reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill but also create a FloridaFriendly and cost-effective way to support the plants in your yard.

If you have any questions about composting, contact UF/IFAS Extension Polk County at 863519-1041 or visit us online at: sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/ polk. The Plant Clinic is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to answer your gardening and landscaping questions. If you are not in Polk County, Contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Clinic.

You can find the “Your Central Florida Yard” podcast wherever you listen or find out more on our Substack: substack.com/@yourcentralfloridayard. Check out episode 34 to learn more about starting a compost pile.

Anne Yasalonis is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent and Master Gardener Volunteer Program Coordinator for UF/IFAS Extension Polk County. Please contact her at anneanne@ufl.edu. An Equal Opportunity Institution.

Check Me Out ;)

ONE & ONLY

By Maurene Goo

A swoony, funny, romantic novel about a woman thrown a curveball by fate, and the family secret that will make her question everything. As she battles between fate and chance, head and heart, she will have to decide if she’ll follow her fate … or make her own.

HOW TO COMMIT A POSTCOLONIAL MURDER

By Nina McConigley

Summer 1986. The Creel sisters, Georgie Ayyar and Agatha Krishna, welcome their aunt, uncle, and young cousin, newly arrived from India, into their house in rural Wyoming. They’ll all live together, because this is what families do, until the sisters decide that it’s time for their uncle to die.

According to Georgie, the British are to blame.

DOUBLE HAPPINESS

By Heather Eng

Mei finally has what she’s always wanted: a job with growth potential and financial security, and Joey, a fiancé who adores her. But when she runs into college professor, Alexandre, at a cookout, their connection makes her rethink everything: her career, her commitment to her company, and even her upcoming marriage to Joey.

THE TAKE

By Kelly Yang

A provocative, fast-paced novel about two creative women — a young writer fighting to be heard and an older producer clinging to relevancy — and the age reversal treatment that intertwines both of their lives.

Larry

MS. MEBEL GOES BACK TO THE CHOPPING BLOCK

By Jesse Q. Sutanto

A nearly divorced trophy wife enrolls in culinary school to win back her husband, only to find a fresh start in the unlikeliest of places in this new novel from the USA Today bestselling author of Vera Wong’s, “Unsolicited Advice for Murderers.”

THE MIDNIGHT TAXI

By Yosha Gunasekera

When the last fare of the night turns up dead in her backseat, a Sri Lankan American taxi driver works off the clock to clear her name in this mystery novel by debut author Yosha Gunasekera.

JAPANESE GOTHIC

By Kylie Lee Baker

In this lyrical, wildly inventive horror novel interwoven with Japanese mythology, two people living centuries apart discover a door between their worlds. Baker’s follow-up to “Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng” delivers a violent and thoughtprovoking tale of grief, generational trauma, and colonialism.

MODERATION

By Elaine Castillo

Girlie Delmundo’s digital work as a virtual reality moderator collides with her personal life when she falls for a coworker in Castillo’s second novel following “America Is Not the Heart,” named a best book by NPR, LitHub, NYPL, and more.

Sometime in March 1974, the Betz family discovered a metal sphere on their property on Fort George Island in Jacksonville while investigating the aftermath of a small brush fire.

Partially exposed in the scorched earth was a smooth metallic sphere, roughly the size of a bowling ball. It had no seams, no markings, no visible openings—nothing to indicate how it had been made or what it had once been used for. The family, Antoine, Jerri, and their son Terry, turned it over in their hands and, lacking a better explanation, assumed it could be a cannonball and brought it home.

Several days later, twenty-one-year-old pre-med student Terry noticed that the sphere appeared to react to sound while he was playing guitar. We do not know what he was playing, but as it was 1974, I like to imagine it was something by Jacksonville’s own Lynyrd Skynyrd. It produced a faint vibrating or throbbing noise. Soon after, they reported that the sphere would roll across the floor on its own, stop, and change direction, occasionally returning toward people after rolling away, as if correcting its path.

At times, it vibrated audibly, producing a high-pitched tone that reportedly caused nearby dogs to whine and recoil. The sphere was placed inside a bowling ball bag in an effort to contain the unexplained. Like many reported anomalies, these events appeared intermittently—what happens once can be doubted. What happens repeatedly, but irregularly, occupies a space in a foggier dimension.

By mid-April, local newspapers had begun covering the object. Within weeks, national and even international outlets picked it up.

Visitors came to the Betz home to witness the object firsthand. Reporters described demonstrations in which the sphere appeared to move in response to slight inclines, vibrations, or nearby activity—though never with the consistency one would expect from a controlled mechanism. The sphere was alternately described as extraterrestrial, experimental, or even sentient, labels that adhered less to the object itself than to the cultural moment in which it appeared. The early 1970s, suspended between post-Apollo

optimism and Cold War unease, proved fertile ground for interpretations that blurred the line between technology and visitation.

The U.S. Navy was granted temporary access to the sphere under a contract written by Jerri Betz herself. The agreement allowed the Navy to study the object at Naval Station Mayport for two weeks, with the condition that it be returned if it was not government property. After X-ray and metallurgical tests, it was determined to be stainless steel with a 1/2-inch shell, measuring 7.96 inches in diameter and weighing 21.34 pounds.

Scientists later examined the sphere as well, including Dr. J. Allen Hynek, creator of the “Close Encounter” classification system that we all know and love, who was in New Orleans for a meeting with the National Enquirer, which was establishing a $50,000 prize for definitive proof of extraterrestrial life. Since Hynek and several other scientists on the Enquirer’s panel were all there, Terry Betz and the sphere were reportedly taken by private plane to ensure its safe arrival and

secure return. Their conclusions aligned with the Navy’s: the object was man-made.

The vast difference in accounts, newspaper reports, internet articles, and podcast deep dives pushes the conclusion of the sphere’s story toward what is, I believe, the best ending—that thrilling, spine-tingling, favorite line of the externally curious: “We may never know,” standing in place of the metal mystery ball that we cannot reexamine for a 2026 analysis, as it is nowhere to be found.

This is not to say that there are not a healthy number of possible explanations from investigations past and nearpresent, many noting that the sphere’s specifications align with industrial ball check valves. A stainless steel ball manufactured by Bell & Howell, when weighed and measured, was reported to match the Betz sphere almost exactly, according to a 2012 Skeptoid podcast analysis, along with the account of James Durling-Jones, who recognized the object as identical to spheres he had used in his sculptures. He had transported them on the roof of his car through the Jacksonville area years earlier, stating that some fell off along the way—one of which may have remained on Fort George

Island until the Betz family found it. These are but a sampling of explanations offered by those who recognized the sphere as an object of the everyday, setting the unusual behavior reported aside.

We can place the Betz sphere in a broader category: objects that are clearly physical, clearly real, but not immediately understood. An uncommon phenomenon, made even more rare by the emergence of applications that can identify almost any image or find relevant information based on its description so quickly that we need not suppose or imagine. All hope and wonder are not lost, though. To uncover such an object is the expected mystery within archaeological research—that land wherein the questions “What is it?” and “Where did it come from?” still live.

One of the oldest examples of this is the Roman dodecahedron. Found across parts of Europe and dating back to the 2nd or 3rd century CE, these small bronze objects have twelve pentagonal faces, each with circular holes of varying sizes. Many also feature small knobs at each vertex. Despite decades of study, there is no consensus as to their purpose.

It is supposed that they may have been tools, ritual objects, instruments for measurement, or even artifacts of play. The dodecahedron might have been one component of a larger machine, placed within the same theoretical shelf as the one on which our odd ball sits.

Mystery objects like the Betz sphere are the perfect example when posing the question: What will the remnants of our civilization cause our descendants—or those who will one day descend upon our planet—to suppose about us based on what they find?

Perhaps they will find objects whose purposes are obvious.

Perhaps they will find others that resist explanation, even with all the tools available to them. May we leave them as many mysteries as were left to us, and may they confuse, capture, and connect those future finders lucky enough to happen upon them.

MAY 2026

NEEDLEWORKS ART GROUP

May 1, 2026, 9:30-11:30 AM

Lake Wales Public Library

290 Cypress Garden Ln, Lake Wales

Come work on your fiber arts projects with other crafty people, every Friday! lakewalesfl.gov

WARHOL CONDENSED: FROM MARILYN TO SOUP AND BACK AGAIN

May 1, 2026, 10 AM-4 PM

The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art 800 East Palmetto Street, Lakeland

As a counter to the seeming unapproachability of “fine art,” Warhol selected the world of mass manufacturing, commercial art, consumer products, and celebrity culture as the foundation for his own art. Through August 30, 2026. agbmuseum.org

THIS JUST IN! NEW WORKS FROM THE PERMANENT COLLECTION

May 1, 2026, 10 AM-4 PM

The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art 800 East Palmetto Street, Lakeland

See works that are new to the audience — and feature recent acquisitions of artists well-known and undersung, across media, and many on view at The AGB for the first time. On view until February 28, 2027. agbmuseum.org

MULBERRY - TITLES WITH TEA

May 1, 2026, 10-11 AM

Mulberry Public Library

905 NE 5th St, Mulberry

Morning Book Club, Adults age 18 and up are welcome. No required reading! Read your picks at your pace! Bring your favorite mug for tea & a relaxed discussion. Group meets in the library. No Registration Required, free.

STEM CHALLENGE

May 1, 2026, 10:30-11 AM

Florida Children’s Museum

600 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland

Visit our Design Park Gallery on the first floor and check out the project of the day. Can you beat the challenge? Designed for children ages 5 and up. Program available in the morning daily and in the afternoon on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

MINI MASTERPIECES

May 1, 2026, 11:30 AM-12 PM

Florida Children’s Museum

600 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland

Make something uniquely yours. Join us in Design Park on the first floor. Program designed for children of all ages. Program available in the morning daily and in the afternoon on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

CHATTY CRAFTERS

May 1, 2026, 1-4 PM

Lake Wales Public Library

290 Cypress Garden Ln, Lake Wales Meet in the Schoenoff Meeting Room

ARABELLAS PRE-SHOW DINNER SPECIAL

May 1, 2026, 4:30 PM

Arabellas

346 W Central Ave, Winter Haven

Reserve your pre-show four-course dinner special before the curtain opens at The Ritz! theatrewinterhaven.com

FIRST FRIDAY WINTER HAVEN

May 1, 2026, 5-8 PM

Downtown Winter Haven

308 4th St. SW, Winter Haven

Centered around our downtown corridor, patrons can enjoy food and drink specials from downtown restaurants & shop downtown businesses open late for the event. Check out musicians at multiple venues and the car show down Magnolia Ave. Shop the night market in its new location by the Car Show! FB @whfirstfriday

FIRST FRIDAY FREE BITES!

May 1, 2026, 5 PM

Bowen Yard

308 4th St SW, Winter Haven

Every First Friday come to Bowen Yard to try some free samples from Maritime!

PLANT SWAP

May 1, 2026, 5-8 PM

The Potting Bench

251 3rd St SW, Winter Haven

A laid-back night swapping plants and cuttings, plus discounted propagation stations during First Friday. More info on IG @_thepottingbench

FIRST FRIDAY CAR SHOW

May 1, 2026, 5-8 PM

Downtown Winter Haven

Magnolia Ave, Winter Haven

Check out the First Friday Car Show along Magnolia Ave. in Downtown Winter Haven! The Car Show is free to participate in, no registration necessary. Just bring your cool car!

BOB GHASTIN

May 1, 2026, 5:30-8 PM

Bowen Yard

308 4th St SW, Winter Haven

Live music every weekend! FB @bowenyardwh

FIRST FRIDAY - UNO DE MAYO

May 1, 2026, 6-9 PM

Downtown Lakeland

Join us in Munn Park for an evening filledwith a highenergy mix of Latin favorites and current pop hits, creating the perfect soundtrack for singing, dancing, and celebrating all night long. Plus, a variety of Latin food trucks will be serving up bold, authentic flavors throughout downtown.

FIRE FESTIVAL WITH THE CARIBBEAN CHILLERS: TRIBUTE TO JIMMY BUFFET

May 1, 2026, 6-8:30 PM

Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales

Come early and enjoy a delightful pre-show provided by the talented performers of The Circus Arts Place. Then sit back for the Caribbean Chillers, the number one Jimmy Buffet tribute. Be thrilled by a Fire Dancer with several performances throughout the evening. boktowergardens.org

LIVE & LOUD

May 1, 2026, 6 PM

Historic Ritz Theatre

263 W Central Ave, Winter Haven

May line up: Defrauded (Tampa), Lyche Camp (Tampa), Colorblind Dinosaurs (Mount Dora), and Grim Gardener (Tampa). Produced by Punk Kid Productions LLC. & Destroyer Media. Hear all 4 bands play for only $5. New bands every First Friday. centralfloridatix.com

NOTTA ART BATTLE

May 1, 2026, 6-9 PM

Notta Gallery

125 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland

All ages welcome. Three artists. Two hours. Selected artists create brand new work live inside the gallery while a DJ sets the energy and the crowd watches it unfold in real time. Free.

TURN UP HIP HOP DANCE FITNESS

May 1, 2026, 7-8 PM

Uno Dos Tres Studio

2940 S Combee Rd, Lakeland

Pay per class. More than just a Hip-Hop/R&B/Rap/ Pop dance fitness format; it’ s a movement, to evolve unapologetically, live loudly, dance ruthlessly and OWN our greatness together, while we take our fitness to the next level as we turn all the way up!

All classes tickets are available online, but spots are limited. unodostresstudio.com

SEUSSICAL JR! THE MUSICAL | INTEGRITY ARTS & EDUCATION

May 1, 2026, 7-8:30 PM

Medulla Baptist Church 3930 Old Road 37, Lakeland

Jump into the whimsical world of Seussical Jr! with Integrity Arts & Education—fun, music, and madness live!

DAVID JOLLY FROM KILL TONY!

May 1, 2026, 8-10 PM

Laugh Out Lounge

19 3rd St NW, Winter Haven

You know David Jolly from Kill Tony where he was named “America’s Uncle”, or his viral videos featuring DeAndre Holmes. winterhavenlol.com

CREATURES OF THE NIGHT OPEN DRAG SHOW AT KITTY CAT LOUNGE

May 1, 2026, 8-10 PM

Kitty Cat Lounge

946 East Orange St,, Lakeland

Get ready for a night of glamour, music, and fierce performances at our Drag Show! Hosted by the fantastic Memento Mori. Cozy cat café atmosphere, drinks & treats available.

JUST LAUGHS! COMEDY SHOWCASE

May 1, 2026, 9-10:30 PM

Just Dance academy

124 South Kentucky Ave, Lakeland

Get ready to laugh your socks off at our “Just Laughs! First Friday Comedy Show” Every First Friday!

SWINGS AGAINST STROKES CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

May 2, 2026, 6:45 AM-3 PM

Cleveland Heights Golf Course

2900 Buckingham Ave, Lakeland

Your participation helps provide in home support and resources for individuals and families affected by stroke and mental health challenges. More info on FB @adventhomecarealliance.

DOWNTOWN LKLD FARMERS CURB MARKET

May 2, 2026, 8 AM-2 PM

Located on N Kentucky Ave stretching from Lemon Street N to Oak Street every Saturday. Local, handmade, homegrown produce, plants, artisan gifts, pastries, breads, specialty foods, and more! downtownlkld.com/farmerscurbmarket

CARS & COFFEE

May 2, 2026, 8-10 AM

Bonnet Springs Park

400 Bonnet Springs Blvd, Lakeland

All exotic, classic, luxury, hot rod, and import cars are welcome! This meet up will be held in the parking lot across from the Welcome Center. Coffee and breakfast items will be available for purchase. If you would like to show off your ride, no registration is required.

MUSEUM OF WINTER HAVEN HISTORY

May 2, 2026, 9 AM-12 PM

Woman’s Club of Winter Haven

660 Pope Avenue, NW, Winter Haven

Exhibits and tours regarding Winter Haven’s history beginning in 1880.

7 RIVERS WATER FESTIVAL: CARDBOARD BOAT RACE

May 2, 2026, 9 AM-1 PM

Martin Luther King Jr. Park

275 S Lake Silver Dr NW, Winter Haven

The 7 Rivers Water Festival is a community event focused on celebrating our shared water resources including lakes, rivers, and our underground drinking water supply! The cardboard boat race is a teambased competition that showcases the creativity and ingenuity of our local residents, businesses, community groups, and youth organizations. More info at mywinterhaven.com

WINTER HAVEN FARMERS MARKET

May 2, 2026, 9 AM-1 PM

Visit us every Saturday along Magnolia Ave in Downtown Winter Haven between 2nd St SW & 3rd St SW. We feature a variety of farmers, food trucks, artisan food vendors including handmade pasta, baked goods, meat, seafood, plants, and local makers every Saturday. FB @winterhavenfarmersmarket

MULBERRY - EXPLOR-A-STORY (BILINGUAL)

May 2, 2026, 10-11 AM

Mulberry Public Library 905 NE 5th St, Mulberry

Sumérgete en un libro participando en juegos y actividades dirigidos y basados en un libro de cuentos. Cada primer Sábado del mes a las 10:00 AM. * Take a deep dive into a book by participating in games and activities based on a story book. cityofmulberryfl.org/public-library

WORKSHOP: SPRING GARDEN PARTY CUPCAKES

May 2, 2026, 10-11:30 AM

Plant Batter Bakery & Kitchen 6935 S Carter Rd ste 6, Lakeland

Celebrate Spring in the most delicious way possible! This workshop is designed for anyone who loves to get creative in the kitchen—whether you’re a seasoned baker or just looking for a fun, festive Saturday morning activity. In this hands-on session, we’re focusing on the art of “botanical decorating” using 100% plant-based ingredients. You’ll learn that you don’t need dairy or artificial dyes to create stunning, professional-looking treats. More info & register at plantbatterlkld.com.

WATERMELON FESTIVAL

May 2, 2026, 10 AM-5 PM Florida Children’s Museum 600 Bonnet Spgs Blvd,, Lakeland

Celebrate the rich tradition of watermelon farming in Central Florida! This event features pay-what-you-can admission, meaning it is accessible for all families. Dress in your watermelon best and enjoy hands-on activities. Eat a fresh slice of watermelon and take a picture with our mascot, Mel the Melon. Then cool off and explore inside the Museum. explorefcm.org

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2026 AT COLISEUM OF COMICS LAKELAND

May 2, 2026, 10 AM-7 PM Coliseum of Comics Lakeland 1517 Bartow Rd, Lakeland

Join us at Coliseum of Comics Lakeland for a day of fun and free comics! More details on FB @ColiseumofComics.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS DAY

May2, 2026, 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM Cleveland Heights Golf Course 122 E Main St, Lakeland

Free event to the public, giveaways, and more. ahcall.org

31ST ANNUAL HERITAGE FESTIVAL

May 2, 2026, 10:30 AM-5:30 PM Central Park

469 W Central Ave, Winter Haven

This year’s festival will be especially meaningful, as the First Missionary Baptist Church commemorates 145 years of community heritage. They’re honoring the deep roots, traditions, and legacy of local

families and leaders who have helped shape the city over generations. Guests can expect: Live cultural performances and music, Food trucks and local vendors, Family-friendly activities, and Participation from local churches, small businesses, and schools. This celebration is hosted by First Missionary Baptist Church, the oldest church in Winter Haven, and continues to serve as a vibrant platform for unity, culture, and community connection.

BANDIT MARKET SUMMER PARTY

May 2, 2026, 12-5 PM

Bowen Yard

308 4th St SW, Winter Haven

Bandit Market is BACK for our tenth market! Summer is hot but Bandit Market is hotter! Shop the coolest vendors from all over Central Florida for vintage, art, handmade wares, baked goods and more. Live music from 2-5 pm, eat from 5 different restaurants, and celebrate the 10th market! FB @thebanditmarket

CLASSROOM DROP-IN

May 2, 2026, 1-3 PM

Bonnet Springs Park

400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland

Continue your learning at the GiveWell Community Foundation Nature Center Classroom. Participate in a hands-on activity with a focus on STEM or environmental science. These free events are open to guests of all ages with adult supervision.

DEPOT WALK: MAY THE ARTS BE WITH YOU

May 2, 2026, 2-6 PM

Depot Arts District

955 E. Memorial Blvd., Lakeland

Explore the Depot Arts District as our artists-inresidence open their studios, inviting you behind the scenes to experience their creative process up close. Discover original artwork across a wide range of mediums, connect with local artists, and find pieces that are truly out of this world.

More events at

GAME POINTE SHOW

May 2, 2026, 3 PM and 6 PM

Polk State College, Fine Arts Building

999 Avenue H NE

Watch the students at A New Pointe Dance perform their Spring Showcase. centralfloridatix.com

LUAU PARTY

May 2, 2026, 5 PM

Grove Roots Brewery

302 3rd St SW, Winter Haven

We’re celebrating Hawaiian style! Think tropical drinks, live entertainment, delicious food, and aloha energy!!

More info on FB @groverootsbrewing

8TH ANNUAL WINE & CHEESE EVENTKENTUCKY DERBY STYLE

May 2, 2026, 5-7:30 PM

207 North Blvd W, Davenport

Open to the Public! The Derby will be streaming live at the event. Attendees that purchase a ticket will be able to sample over 16 different wines, enjoy a fabulous Charcuterie table spread, Kentucky Derby themed Hat & Attire Contests, and more. Tickets at northeastpolkchamber.com.

ROLLER DERBY BOUT - SWAN CITY ROLLER

DERBY VS TAMPA SEA SIRENS

May 2, 2026, 5:30-7:30 PM

Mulberry High School Gym

1 Panther Pl, Mulberry

Come out to support your local Swan City Roller Derby team for our next home game against the Tampa Sea Sirens! Follow road around the left side of the school to the Gym entrance and parking lot!

Bleacher seating available, Limited merch will be available for sale. depot303.com

CHASE DIXON

May 2, 2026, 5:30-8 PM

Bowen Yard

308 4th St SW, Winter Haven

Live music every weekend + 6 restaurants!

FB @bowenyardwh

BOBBY JAMES

May 2, 2026, 6 PM

Twisted Prop

615 7th St SW, Winter Haven

Bobby James is back in Florida making his way around the state playing songs from his current album release “Madison” along with many covers that has inspired his music along the way

MOTHER-SON DANCE

May 2, 2026, 6-8 PM

Lake Ariana Civic Center

2220 Lake Ariana Blvd, Auburndale

The SOCK HOP Mother Son Dance tickets are on sale! To purchase tickets, please visit 119 West Park Street, Auburndale. Tickets can ONLY be purchased in-person. For more information, please call (863) 965-5545.

A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES

PERFORMED BY ANY TIME AT ALL

May 2, 2026, 7 PM

Union Hall

1023 Florida Ave S, Lakeland

Get ready to experience the timeless magic of The Beatles live in person! Any Time At All brings you an unforgettable tribute show packed with all your favorite hits. Feel the vibe, sing along, and dive into the legendary sounds that changed music forever. unionhallevents.com

PARADISE MARKET

May 3, 2026, 9 AM-1 PM

Camp Margaritaville Auburndale

361 Denton Avenue, Auburndale

Shop from over 40 local vendors with a variety of unique products and services. Free to attend.

HAT & HEELS ROSE TEA FUNDRAISER

May 3, 2026, 12-3:30 PM

Harmony Haven Events

6320 US-98 , Bartow

An elegant pre-Mother’s Day tea benefiting Talbot House Ministries and the Center for Women and Children. Set against a backdrop of spring blooms, this beloved annual event brings together mothers, daughters, granddaughters, and community members for a beautiful afternoon of tea, fellowship, and purpose. Your participation directly supports safe housing, stability, counseling, and long-term restoration. talbothouse.org

BRUNCH & BURN:

CANDLES & CHARCUTERIE

May 3, 2026, 3-5 PM

FLAMEcandlestudios

25 3rd St NW, Winter Haven

Join us for an elevated afternoon of candle-making, charcuterie, and connection at FLAME candlestudios . Guests get a 2-hour guided candle-making experience, Custom candle to take home, access to our candle gallery & lounge.BYOB friendly. Purchase tickets at flamecandlestudios.com.

CRIMSON CRITIQUE COMMUNITY

BOOK CLUB: MAMA

May 3, 2026, 3-5 PM

Depot 303

303 Northwest 1st Avenue, Mulberry

Join LACDST for our Crimson Critique Community Book Club, as we discuss “Mama ” at Depot 303 on May 3rd!

MAY 2026

“TAI CHI ON THE PROMENADE @ NOTTA GALLERY” WITH FRANKIE HART

May 4, 2026, 7:15-8:20 AM

Frances Langford Promenade

702 E orange St, Lakeland

Experience this ancient movement art in the fresh air of the promenade behind the Magnolia building, in front of the lake surrounded by trees, sunlight, and the creative energy of downtown Lakeland. Classes are held outdoors (weather permitting): just wear comfortable shoes and clothing you can move easily in. Register at nottagallery.com.

INNERACT ALLIANCE OWN THE UPSIDE PREVENTION SUMMIT

May 4, 2026, 8 AM-4 PM

W.H. Stuart Center UF/IFAS Extension Office 1710 U.S. Highway 17 South, Bartow InnerAct Alliance and the StandUP Polk Coalition will discuss important issues facing our community. This opportunity is for teachers, school resource officers, administrators, counselors, social workers, and prevention specialists to come together and share up-to-date information with a realistic view of current youth culture, emerging drug trends, social media and its connection to risky behaviors. Admission is $28.52 and includes a light breakfast and lunch. Email: angie. ellison@inneractalliance.org to ask to be sent the QR code to register for the Own the Upside Prevention Summit.

MULBERRY - ROAMING READERS

May 4, 2026, 9:30-10:30 AM

Mulberry Public Library 905 NE 5th St, Mulberry Group will meet at the Mulberry Library for the Adult walking book club. Adults 18+. A focus on audiobooks, but all reader conversations are welcome. The walk is approximately 1 mile.

Remember your water and comfortable shoes.

BIRDING ON THE BOARDWALK

May 4, 2026, 10 AM-12 PM

Bonnet Springs Park

400 Bonnet Springs Blvd, Lakeland

Meet at the Blanton Family Lagoon where BSP Staff and Volunteers will have binoculars and birding guides for guests to use while visitors explore the plants and animals that call Bonnet Springs Park their home! Participants are encouraged to dress based on seasonal weather and bring a water bottle.

FINGERPRINT CHARM WALK-IN EVENT

May 4, 2026, 10 AM-8 PM

Picassoz Art Cafe

4636 Cleveland Heights, Lakeland

Choose one of our little pendant charms and we will help you create adorable little fingerprint masterpiece for mom! Create a simple single print or a use several prints to create a design. $12.50 per pendant. Walk-In any time between 10-8pm, no reservations needed.

EASY BRIDGE AT LAKE CRAGO

May 4, 2026, 1-4 PM

Lake 525Crago Park

525 Lake Crago Dr., Lakeland

Beginning and Returning players welcome! Learn with others, make new friends, train your brain;. Improve mental skills and prevent memory loss. Relaxed, fun, friendly in a beautiful facility!

MONDAY SWING DANCE WORKSHOP

May 4, 2026, 6:30 PM

Union Hall

1023 Florida Ave S, Lakeland

Ready to jump into the Lindy Hop scene? Our weekly workshops are perfect for beginners and seasoned swing dancers alike. lkldlindyhop.com

MULBERRY - PUZZLE MANIA FOR MIDDLESCHOOLERS

May 5, 2026, 4:15-5 PM

Mulberry Public Library

905 NE 5th St, Mulberry

Puzzle Mania meets every first Tuesday at 4:15 pm. Puzzle Mania is an interactive puzzle program for middle school students.

BREW CREW RUN CLUB

May 5, 2026, 5:30 PM

Swan Brewing

115 W Pine St, Lakeland

Join the Lakeland Runners Club. Check-In starts at 5:45PM and is FREE and open to all levels of runners!

FB @swanbrewingco

TRIVIA TUESDAY

May 5, 2026, 6:30 PM

Grove Roots Brewery

302 3rd St SW, Winter Haven Free trivia every Tuesday! FB @groverootsbrewing

LIVE MUSIC BINGO

May 5, 2026, 6:30 PM

Swan Brewing 115 W Pine St, Lakeland

FREE to play and win fun prizes every Tuesday! FB @swanbrewingco

THE GARDEN CLUB OF LAKELANDGLORIOSA CIRCLE

May 5, 2026, 6:30-8 PM

Central FL Speech and Hearing Community Room 3020 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland

The Gloriosa Circle of The Lakeland Garden Club meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month from September thru May. The meetings consists of speakers on various plants and environmental issues, nature craft, field trips and refreshments. Green Thumb not required... just Love of Learning and Enjoyment of Nature along with Fellowship. There are 6 circles of the Garden Club of Lakeland, so if a different day and time is better for you, please call or text 863-661-2050 for more information. There are 2 circles that meet in the evening and 4 circles with morning meetings. New members are welcome at any time throughout the year.

LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS

VS. ST. LUCIE METS

May 5, 2026, 6:30 PM

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland Play Baseball Bingo! mlb.com/milb/lakeland

1 MILLION CUPS- LAKELAND

May 6, 2026, 8:30-9:30 AM

The Well

114 E Parker, Lakeland

Every Wednesday morning, entrepreneurs, dreamers, and doers gather for a free, community-driven program where local founders share their stories over coffee.

PRESCRIBED BURN PRESENTATION

May 6, 2026, 11 AM-12 PM

Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales

Join us as we examine the science and art behind Bok Tower Garden’s work to restore sandhill habitat and the central role fire plays in that mission. Registration required boktowergardens.org

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY QUICK CUSTOM CANDLE POUR

May 6, 2026, 11 AM-2 PM

FLAMEcandlestudios

25 3rd St NW, Winter Haven

Stop in anytime from 11am-2pm on Wellness Wednesdays for your midweek morning reset! No reservations required, no experience necessary. Quick custom candle pours with Intention & Mindfulness. flamecandlestudios.com

“SHE KNOWS WHERE SHE’S GOING” AWARDS LUNCHEON

May 6, 2026, 12 PM

Historic Ritz Theatre

263 W Central Ave, Winter Haven

Join Girls Inc. of Winter Haven to honor four amazing women for their dedication and contributions to the Greater Winter Haven community. Please join us in celebrating: George Jenkins Award – Amy Sexson; Julie Pope Award – Sherry Kelley; Virginia Snively Award – Cheryl Arrington; Ralph & Alice Thompson Award – Mary Beth Hundley. Get your tickets here: secure.qgiv.com/for/giowh/ event/2026sheknowsluncheon. Your investment helps Girls Inc. provide enriching experiences that equip girls with the skills and confidence to become leaders, innovators, and change makers. Together, we’re building a new generation of strong, smart, and bold leaders.

MULBERRY - CREATIVE CHAOS

May 6, 2026, 2:30-3:30 PM

Mulberry Public Library

905 NE 5th St, Mulberry

This group is filled with writing activities for high school students and there is a new theme each month. They meet every first Wednesday.

HAINES CITY - WRITER’S GUILD

May 6, 2026, 4-5 PM

Haines City Public Library

111 N 6th St, Haines City

Ages 18+ Located in the Teen Room Hang out with local aspiring authors to brainstorm, write prompts and overall enjoy yourself while working on your writing.

FLEET FEET RUN CLUB

May 6, 2026, 5:30-8 PM

The Joinery 640 E Main St, Lakeland Run. Sip. Repeat. Check in at 5:30 pm, run at 6:00 pm. All runners get 20% off at the bar.

GRAPHIC NOVEL TALK“ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN”

May 6, 2026, 6 PM

Bookareaderville 2120 S. Combee Road, Lakeland Superman Like You’ve Never Seen Him Before! No cape, no Kents, and no Fortress of Solitude. This isn’t just a retelling. It’s a total reimagining.

Join us for an energized session of Graphic Novel Talk as we dive deep into the raw, powerhouse world of Absolute Superman.

FREE BINGO

May 6, 2026, 6-9 PM

Bowen Yard

308 4th St SW, Winter Haven

Join us for an exciting night of FREE Bingo every Wednesday! Grab your friends, enjoy delicious food from five amazing restaurants, and get ready to win great prizes!

TIBUTE TO THE EVERLY BROTHERS

May 6, 2026, 7 PM

Historic Ritz Theatre

263 W Central Ave, Winter Haven

Enjoy a night of timeless hits and legendary harmonies! theatrewinterhaven.com

LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS VS. ST. LUCIE METS

May 6, 2026, 6:30 PM

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland milb.com/lakeland

LAKELAND MAYOR’S PRAYER BREAKFAST

May 7, 2026, 7:30 AM

Church For The ONE’s Family Ministries Building 4730 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland Lakeland Mayor Sara Roberts McCarley and the Citrus Center Kiwanis Club cordially invite you to join us for the 28th Annual Lakeland Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. The featured speaker is Senior Pastor David McEntire (Retired, First United Methodist Church). This is a ticketed event, more info on FB @CitrusCenterKiwanisOfLakelandFlorida.

CONVERSATIONS IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: BUILDING A MINDFUL COMMUNITY

May 7, 2026, 8 AM-4 PM

Polk State College, Fine Arts Building 11th St NE, Winter Haven

Now in its third year, this impactful summit brings together professionals, community leaders, educators, healthcare providers, and residents who share a commitment to strengthening mental and behavioral health across Polk County. This power-packed, oneday event features:3 Keynote Speakers; 8 Breakout Sessions; and dozens of local behavioral health organizations providing resources and support. Registration is free, but space is limited. Register at: whenyouknow.org/conversations-in-behavioralhealth-2026

MULBERRY - TRAVEL CLUB

May 7, 2026, 3:30-4:30 PM

Mulberry Public Library

905 NE 5th St, Mulberry

A travel focused program for our elementary friends. Explore the world with books, snacks, trivia and crafts.

POTTERY 4-WEEK DIG DEEP CLASS

May 7, 2026, 6-9 PM

Marvelous Mud Pottery Studio

4035 S FL Ave, Lakeland

Instruction focuses on introduction to handbuilding techniques of pinching, slabbing, coiling,  and a

taste of wheel throwing - plus glazing! This is the most direct way to scoring an invite to our Marvelous Mud Membership where you get weekly instruction via a progressive and continual curriculum. marvelousmudpotterystudio.com

THE PSM TELETHON

May 7, 2026, 6 PM Virtual

A 24-hour livestream event to help Parket Street Ministries. Visit: psmlakeland.org/telethon

ALL LEVELS HIP HOP

May 7, 2026, 6:30-7:30 PM Uno dos tres studios

2940 S Combee Rd , Lakeland Mesa Hip hop Classes in person! Our in-person classes are equal parts choreography and freestyle! We learn exciting and accessible choreography and use aspects of the choreography to teach about freestyle dance concepts. Fun, inclusive, and insightful! Register at unodostresstudio.com

LAKELAND NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

May 7, 2026, 12-9 PM

The Lakeland National Day Of Prayer is a gathering of Christians from local area churches to unite and pray for God’s blessing over our city, state, nation and the world. 12 PM to 1 PM - Gather for prayer at the Lakeland City Hall 228 S Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland. 2 PM to 6 PM - Gather in Munn Park for live worship/prayer 201 E Main St, Lakeland. 6 PM to 9 PM

- Gather for prayer in Munn Park with pastors, church goers, city leaders and first responders at 201 E Main St, Lakeland.

TRIVIA AT SMITH’S AMERICAN TAVERN

May 7, 2026, 7:30-9:30 PM

Smith’s American Tavern 124 S Tennessee Ave, Lakeland Every Thursday.Free to play, prizes for top teams, and great food and drinks while you play!

MARK BENNETT & FRIENDS!

May 7, 2026, 8-10 PM

Laugh Out Lounge

19 3rd St NW, Winter Haven

Mark Bennett is a rising star on the local comedy scene and has already begun making waves. Don’t miss your chance to see him LIVE!

LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS VS. ST. LUCIE METS

May 7, 2026, 6:30 PM

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland milb.com/lakeland

NEEDLEWORKS ART GROUP

May 8, 2026, 9:30-11:30 AM

Lake Wales Public Library

290 Cypress Garden Ln, Lake Wales

Come work on your fiber arts projects with other crafty people, every Friday! lakewalesfl.gov

HER PLAN’S MOTHER’S DAY CELEBRATION

May 8, 2026, 1-3 PM

Worth and Purpose

1329 E. Main St. , Lakeland

Her PLAN’s Mother’s Day Celebration is open to all single and teen moms in our community. There will be

free chair massages, ice cream truck, family photos, games, and desserts. You are valued!

To RSVP, contact Ava Winkler by email at awinkler@herplan.org.

CHATTY CRAFTERS

May 8, 2026, 1-4 PM

Lake Wales Public Library

290 Cypress Garden Ln, Lake Wales Meet in the Schoenoff Meeting Room

GERI BLOUNT

May 8, 2026, 5:30-8 PM

Bowen Yard

308 4th St SW, Winter Haven

Live music every weekend + 6 restaurants! FB @bowenyardwh

SURPRISE SING ALONG

May 8, 2026, 6-7 PM

Enchanted Fairytale Hollow

818 E Lemon St, Lakeland

It’s a fairytale themed Sing Along! Join a Surprise Guest for a fun sing and dance along to a few of their favorite songs. enchantedfairytalehollow.com

DIXIELAND NIGHT MARKET

May 8, 2026, 6-11 PM

Dixieland Night Market

1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland

Come out to Dixieland on the second Friday each month for the latest works from local artists, fashion designers, jewelry makers and more local entrepreneurs. Enjoy dinner under the stars from one of our many food vendors. Then go see the art show by Emporium Galleries at Union Hall from 6-8pm.

A NIGHT OF PINK FLOYD

May 8, 2026, 7:30 PM

Historic Ritz Theatre

263 W Central Ave, Winter Haven

Join Classic Rock Legacy as they bring the music of Pink Floyd to the Ritz Theatre with a light and laser show. theatrewinterhaven.com

FLORIDA PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA

POPS CONCERT

May 8, 2026, 7:30-8:45 PM

St. Paul Lutheran Church

4450 Harden Blvd., Lakeland

This final concert of our season is a celebration of music from American theatre, Broadway, Television, movies, and Pop hits. Enjoy Henry Mancini, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Rodgers and Hammerstein, and more. Admission is free! Parking is free! Donations accepted with appreciation. Plan now to attend and bring a friend. We’ll be looking for you.

HILLCREST COMEDY 3-FOR-ALL

May 8, 2026, 7:30-10 PM

Hillcrest Coffee

119 Hillcrest Street, Lakeland

Get ready to laugh out loud with 10 hilarious comedians at Hillcrest Comedy 3-For-All!

JEREMY “JER DOG” DANLEY

FROM COMEDY CENTRAL!

May 8, 2026, 8-10 PM

Laugh Out Lounge

19 3rd St NW, Winter Haven

You might recognize “Jer Dog” from Comedy Central,

List your event at

MTV, or the Pub and Grub Comedy Tour. winterhavenlol.com

DEAD ALL OVER

May 8, 2026, 8-11 PM

Union Hall

1023 Florida Ave S, Lakeland

Get ready to groove with Dead All Over’s epic tribute to the Grateful Dead—live and unforgettable! unionhallevents.com

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE: ELI MOSLEY

May 8, 2026, 6 PM

Munn Park

Downtown Lakeland

Hear national country music recording artist Eli Mosley, bring his signature sound, strong vocals, and highenergy performance to Downtown Lakeland. Free to attend & a welcoming community atmosphere.

LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS VS. ST. LUCIE METS

May 8, 2026, 6:30 PM

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland milb.com/lakeland

ANTIQUE FAIR ALONG MAIN STREET

May 9, 2026, 8 AM-2 PM

Along the 300 block of East Main Street in Bartow. Variety of antiques, collectibles, vintage, retro, and mid-century items. Held every second Saturday.

DOWNTOWN LKLD FARMERS CURB MARKET

May 9, 2026, 8 AM-2 PM

Located on N Kentucky Ave stretching from Lemon Street north to Oak Street every Saturday. Local, handmade, homegrown produce, plants, artisan gifts, pastries, breads, specialty foods, and more! downtownlkld.com/farmerscurbmarket

MUSEUM OF WINTER HAVEN HISTORY

May 9, 2026, 9 AM-12 PM

Woman’s Club of Winter Haven

660 Pope Avenue, NW, Winter Haven

Exhibits and tours regarding Winter Haven’s history beginning in 1880.

ASK A MASTER GARDENER

May 9, 2026, 9 AM-1 PM

Winter Haven Farmers Market

Magnolia Ave, Downtown Winter Haven

Visit the Polk County Master Gardener Volunteer booth for the latest gardening information and to ask gardening questions.

WINTER HAVEN FARMERS MARKET

May 9, 2026, 9 AM-1 PM

Visit us every Saturday along Magnolia Ave in Downtown Winter Haven between 2nd St SW & 3rd St SW. We feature a variety of farmers, food trucks, artisan food vendors including handmade pasta, baked goods, meat, seafood, plants, and local makers every Saturday from 9am-1pm. FB @winterhavenfarmersmarket

MAYFAIRE BY-THE-LAKE

May 9, 2026, 9 AM-4 PM

Lake Morton

Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland

Mayfaire features more than 150 artist booths and

is one of the oldest arts festivals in Central Florida. Mayfaire has been ranked among Sunshine Artist Magazine’s “200 Best Art Shows” for ten years in a row. mayfairebythelake.org

ALL LEVELS YOGA AND SOUND BATH

May 9, 2026, 10:30 AM-12 PM

Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales

Students enjoy yoga and the soothing sounds of the crystal singing bowls in this all levels yoga class. From beginner to experienced, all are welcome. Poses are arranged to target the whole body, with an emphasis on spinal movements, with options to go deeper should the student wish. Registration required. boktowergardens.org

STEAM SATURDAY

May 9, 2026, 11 AM-12 PM

Mulberry Phosphate Museum

101 S.E. 1st Street, Mulberry

This free monthly program invites elementary-aged students to explore the exciting worlds of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics through fun, hands-on activities. Each session offers a new themed challenge—whether it’s building, experimenting, designing, or creating—encouraging kids to think critically, solve problems, and express their imagination. Guided by engaging Museum staff, students will learn by doing while uncovering how STEAM shapes the world around them. Perfect for curious minds and young innovators. Free

SHERYL’S BREASTFEST – 11TH ANNUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL AND CANCER BENEFIT

May 9, 2026, 11 AM-9 PM

Lakeland Elks Lodge #1291

4529 Harden Blvd, Lakeland

A free, family-friendly community event bringing people together through live music, compassion, and giving back. Enjoy live music on two stages, food trucks, vendors, kids activities, silent auctions, raffles, games of chance, and more. This 100% volunteer-run nonprofit event supports local individuals and families facing the financial hardship of cancer treatment through direct financial assistance for essentials such as housing, utilities, food, and transportation.

ADULT SEWING FOR BEGINNERS

May 9, 2026, 1-4 PM

Lake Wales Public Library

290 Cypress Garden Lane, Lake Wales

Learn sewing basics in a small class. Plenty of one-onone instruction.

SPRING TEA & FASHION SHOW

May 9, 2026, 2 PM

First Presbyterian Church Haines City

104 Scenic Hwy, Haines City

The WAY Center and EMERGE invite you to the Spring Tea & Fashion Show. This year, we’ll be serving a selection of teas, finger sandwiches, scones, and sweet treats while the latest fashions for all ages are showcased. Also returning by popular demand: the Table Decorating Contest. Purchase tickets at: thewaycenter.org/spring-tea-fashion-show.

MAY 2026

ARABELLAS PRE-SHOW DINNER SPECIAL

May 9, 2026, 4:30 PM

Arabellas

346 W Central Ave, Winter Haven

Reserve your pre-show four-course dinner special before the curtain opens at The Ritz! theatrewinterhaven.com

BRIAN BUCK

May 9, 2026, 5:30-8 PM

Bowen Yard

308 4th St SW, Winter Haven Live music every weekend! FB @bowenyardwh

MOTOWN EXPERIENCE

FEATURING SOUL 3 BAND

May 9, 2026, 6-8 PM

Lake Wales Little Theatre

411 N 3rd St, Lake Wales

A tribute to Motown with Soul 3 Band! lwlt.com

AAPI CULTURAL CELEBRATION

May 9, 2026, 6-9 PM

Bonnet Springs Park

400 Bonnet Springs Blvd, Lakeland

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage with performances, food, and fun for the whole family. Groups from Japan, India, Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, and beyond take the stage, while local vendors serve up authentic Asian and Polynesian cuisine. This event is FREE to attend and open to all. bonnetspringspark.com

LINE DANCING

May 9, 2026, 6-10 PM

Camp Margaritaville Auburndale

361 Denton Avenue, Auburndale Boots, Beats & Island Vibes — Line Dancing Night! centralfloridatix.com

BILLY NEEDS A BEARD

May 9, 2026, 6:30 PM

Museum of Winter Haven History

660 Pope Ave, Winter Haven

Billy Needs a Beard (BNAB) originated over 20 years ago.  The genre is largely Folk-Rock, BNAB mixes covers with original music in their sets. Current band members are Steven Glick on lead guitar and vocals, Billy Lippy on rhythm guitar and vocals, Mike Lawson on bass and vocals, Josh Dampier on violin and Steve Greenberg on flute. The band wrote and has published three albums available on all the streaming services.  A free will offering will be collected. Seating is limited. BillyNeedsaBeard.com

MAYFAIRE 5K ROAD RACE & WALK

May 9, 2026, 7 PM

Lake Mirror Center

121 S Lake Ave, Lakeland

Join the Lakeland Runners Club for an evening 5k road race and walk around Lake Mirror and Lake Morton. This course is scenic, passing through Lakeland’s historic district and views of the city’s beautiful lakes. The course is USATF certified and the race will be chip timed. The race starts on Main St near the Amtrack station and finishes on the Frances Langford Promenade at Lake Mirror. More info on FB @lakelandrunnersclub.

SMARTMOUTH LIVE

May 9, 2026, 9 PM

Historic Ritz Theatre

263 W Central Ave, Winter Haven

Open Mic Spoken Word, Singing, Comedy, Live Music, & More Hosted By: Jason Alexander theatrewinterhaven.com

LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS VS. ST. LUCIE METS

May 9, 2026, 6 PM

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland milb.com/lakeland

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

May 10, 2026

MOTHER’S DAY AT THE GARDENS

May 10, 2026, 8 AM-5 PM

Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales

Celebrate Mom with a beautiful day in the Gardens. The Shop at Bok has extraordinary gifts to make her day special. Treat Mom to lunch or ice cream at The Blue Palmetto Cafe. Free admission offered to all mothers. boktowergardens.org

MAYFAIRE BY-THE-LAKE

May 10, 2026, 9 AM-4 PM

Lake Morton

Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland

Mayfaire features more than 150 artist booths and is one of the oldest arts festivals in Central Florida. Mayfaire has been ranked among Sunshine Artist Magazine’s “200 Best Art Shows” for ten years in a row. mayfairebythelake.org

MAKERS MARKET: MOTHER’S DAY EDITION

May 10, 2026, 12-5 PM

Lakeside Village

1479 Town Center Dr, Lakeland

Celebrate Mom with a beautiful spring afternoon at Lakeside Village. Browse and shop from 80+ local vendors offering handmade goods, artisan finds, and thoughtful gifts perfect for Mother’s Day. Stop by our pink roses heart photo op for the perfect picture with Mom.

LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS VS. ST. LUCIE METS

May 10, 2026,

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland milb.com/lakeland

“TAI CHI ON THE PROMENADE @ NOTTA GALLERY” WITH FRANKIE HART

May 11, 2026, 7:15-8:20 AM

Frances Langford Promenade 702 E orange St, Lakeland

Eexperience this ancient movement art in the fresh air of the promenade behind the Magnolia building, in front of the lake surrounded by trees, sunlight, and the creative energy of downtown Lakeland. Classes are held outdoors (weather permitting): just wear comfortable shoes and clothing you can move easily in. Register at nottagallery.com.

CHILDREN’S CLASSIC

May 11, 2026, 8 AM-6 PM

Grasslands Golf & Country Club

1600 Grasslands Blvd Lakeland

South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation joins the Plant City Chamber of Commerce and the Plant City Kiwanis Club in hosting this annual event. The proceeds benefit Children’s activities through these organizations as well as the operations of the SFBH Community Health Wellness on Wheels program. business.plantcity.org

MONDAY SWING DANCE WORKSHOP

May 11, 2026, 6:30 PM

Union Hall

1023 Florida Ave S, Lakeland

Ready to jump into the Lindy Hop scene? Our weekly workshops are perfect for beginners and seasoned swing dancers alike. lkldlindyhop.com

OPEN HOUSE

May 12, 2026, 9 AM

Roberts Academy at Florida Southern 1140 Frank Lloyd Wright Way, Lakeland

Since 2010, the Roberts Academy at Florida Southern College has helped students with dyslexia in grades 1–8 thrive academically and confidently! We offer free monthly open houses to prospective parents. Come learn about the Orton-Gillingham approach, our summer reading camp, after-school tutoring and more. Contact us at (863)680-3741 to reserve your seat today!

HARMONIC RADAR WORKSHOP

May 12, 2026, 9 AM-4 PM

University of Florida CREC

700 Experiment Station Road, Lake Alfred

This interactive training blends essential theory with real-world application—perfect for researchers and students. Tickets on eventbrite.

LAKELAND MUSIC CLUB CONCERT

May 12, 2026, 10 AM-12 PM

United Women’s Club of Lakeland, Clubhouse 1515 Williamsburg Square, Lakeland High School Scholarship/Music Award Winners

TONY AGNELLO’S INTRO TO PAINTING: “OIL PAINTING FUNDAMENTALS”

May 12, 2026, 10 AM-1 PM

Notta Gallery

125 N Kentucky Ave unit 103, Lakeland

You’ll learn how to: Paint loose, expressive landscapes using your own reference; Enhance and exaggerate elements from your photo to create more dynamic compositions; Use brushstrokes intentionally to shift the mood and energy of your painting; Understand foundational oil painting techniques and materials; and Let go of perfection and lean into movement. Level is beginner-friendly but, valuable for all levels. nottagallery.com

LUNCH & LEARN: MICROIRRIGATION FOR HOME LANDSCAPES

May 12, 2026, 12-1 PM

Haines City Public Library

111 N 6th St, Haines City

Join UF/IFAS Extension Polk County and Haines City Water Utilities to learn about microirrigation for the landscape! We will explore the various types of microirrigation systems, understand their components,

and gain practical insights into installation and maintenance to save water and keep your plants healthy. Register on eventbrite.

BREW CREW RUN CLUB

May 12, 2026, 5:30 PM

Swan Brewing

115 W Pine St, Lakeland

Join the Lakeland Runners Club, check-In starts at 5:45PM and is FREE and open to all levels of runners! FB @swanbrewingco

TRIBUTE TO ROD STEWART

May 12, 2026, 6:30 PM

Historic Ritz Theatre

263 W Central Ave, Winter Haven

This event promises to be a night of nostalgia and exceptional music featuring Barry Britton, a renowned performer with over 20 years of experience! theatrewinterhaven.com

TRIVIA TUESDAY

May 12, 2026, 6:30 PM

Grove Roots Brewery

302 3rd St SW, Winter Haven

Free trivia every Tuesday! FB @groverootsbrewing

LIVE MUSIC BINGO

May 12, 2026, 6:30 PM

Swan Brewing

115 W Pine St, Lakeland

FREE to play and win fun prizes every Tuesday! FB @swanbrewingco

SPOT IT: SKIN CANCER SCREENING EVENT

May 13, 2026, 1-4 PM

Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center

3525 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, Lakeland

The Spot It: Free Skin Cancer Screenings event provides a unique opportunity for community members to receive free skin cancer screenings from experienced healthcare professionals. This event aims to promote early detection by offering brief, targeted screenings to help identify suspicious moles or lesions and educate participants on skin cancer risk factors.

HAINES CITY - WRITER’S GUILD

May 13, 2026, 4-5 PM

Haines City Public Library

111 N 6th St, Haines City

Ages 18+ Located in the Teen Room Hang out with local aspiring authors to brainstorm, write prompts and overall enjoy yourself while working on your writing.

FLEET FEET RUN CLUB

May 13, 2026, 5:30-8 PM

The Joinery

640 E Main St, Lakeland

Run. Sip. Repeat. Check in at 5:30 pm, run at 6 pm.

FREE BINGO

May 13, 2026, 6-9 PM

Bowen Yard

308 4th St SW, Winter Haven

Grab your friends, enjoy delicious food from five amazing restaurants, and get ready to win great prizes! Every Wednesday.

BEETLEJUICE JR.

May 14, 2026, 9:30 AM or 11:15 AM

Historic Ritz Theatre

263 W Central Ave, Winter Haven

Packed with songs, wild characters, and ghoulish humor, Beetlejuice Jr. is a spooky, high-energy musical! May 14 - 24. theatrewinterhaven.com

UNITED WAY ANNUAL CELEBRATION

May 14, 2026, 12 PM

Bonnet Springs Park

400 Bonnet Springs Blvd

Join United Way of Central Florida for our Annual Celebration featuring NFL Hall of Famer Rondé Barber. We will announce our annual award recipients, share updates on how we continue to support ALICE in our community, and celebrate our collective impact. Purchase tickets at liveuwcf.org

THE MUSIC OF THE LION KING IN CONCERT

May 14, 2026, 4 PM

Polk Theatre

121 South Florida Ave, Lakeland

This extraordinary event brings to life the beloved soundtrack of The Lion King in a breathtaking live performance featuring a full symphonic orchestra, dynamic percussionists, and soaring choral harmonies. polktheatre.org

LAKE WALES JUNIOR WOMAN’S CLUB MONTHLY MEETING

May 14, 2026, 5:30-6:30 PM

Lake Wales Public Library

290 Cypress Garden Ln, Lake Wales Lake Wales Public Library Meeting Room. All women of the Greater Lake Wales area are invited to attend.

THE MUSIC OF THE LORD OF THE RINGS, THE HOBBIT AND RINGS OF POWER IN CONCERT

May 14, 2026, 8 PM

Polk Theatre

121 South Florida Ave, Lakeland

Performed in a unique concert by a film orchestra, choir, and star soloists. The two-hour performance features an original a guest star and the greatest music from the films. polktheatre.org

WORK SUCKS: A COMEDY SHOWCASE!

May 14, 2026, 8-10 PM

Laugh Out Lounge

19 3rd St NW, Winter Haven

Don’t miss the #1 Rated “Work Sucks” comedy showcase with comedians whose material centers around the everyday struggles of the work force! winterhavenlol.com

NEEDLEWORKS ART GROUP

May 15, 2026, 9:30-11:30 AM

Lake Wales Public Library

290 Cypress Garden Ln, Lake Wales

Come work on your fiber arts projects with other crafty people, every Friday! lakewalesfl.gov

CHATTY CRAFTERS

May 15, 2026, 1-4 PM

Lake Wales Public Library

290 Cypress Garden Ln, Lake Wales Meet in the Schoenoff Meeting Room

THE MUSIC OF THE HARRY POTTER IN CONCERT

May 15, 2026, 4 PM

Polk Theatre

121 South Florida Ave, Lakeland

Music is brought to life by the acclaimed Magical Film Orchestra & Choir. Featuring captivating illusions and a special appearance by a guest star from the Harry Potter films. polktheatre.org

AN EVENING OF HOPE, COMMUNITY, AND IMPACT

May 15, 2026, 5:30 PM

Bonnet Springs Park

400 Bonnet Springs Blvd, Lakeland Tri-County Human Services invites the community to their Annual Fundraising Dinner, featuring special guest Mike Alstott. This year’s dinner supports a transformative capital campaign to build affordable housing units for families with children experiencing homelessness. Tickets and info at tchsonline.org.

SG WOOD

May 15, 2026, 5:30-8 PM

Bowen Yard

308 4th St SW, Winter Haven

Live music every weekend! FB @bowenyardwh

FRIDAY FEST - SALUTE TO HOMETOWN HEROES

May 15, 2026, 6 PM

Downtown Bartow

180 S Central Ave, Bartow

Come out and celebrate our amazing local heroes. The evening will feature: Local Vendors, Car Show, Live Music by The Sofa Kings, Kids Activities, and Shopping at Your Favorite Downtown Boutiques Plus, enjoy the chance to meet and honor the Bartow Fire & Police Departments, Public Works, EMS, Parks & Rec, Electric Department, Solid Waste, and many more hardworking local services. mainstreetbartowfl.com

SUNSET SHOWTIME OPEN VARIETY SHOW

May 15, 2026, 6-8 PM

Kitty Cat Lounge

946 East Orange St,, Lakeland

Our All-Ages Variety Show brings together performers of all kinds for an evening packed with talent and entertainment. Expect a little bit of everything:  Music ,Comedy, Unique performances   Cozy cat café atmosphere  Drinks & treats available  Family-friendly fun for everyone.

PHIL HUGHES COMIC VENTRILOQUIST

May 15, 2026, 7:30 PM

Historic Ritz Theatre

263 W Central Ave, Winter Haven

Phil Hughes began ventriloquism at age six after receiving a ventriloquist dummy for Christmas. What his parents thought was just a hobby, quickly became more when he began performing professionally in 1985. theatrewinterhaven.com

THE MUSIC OF HANS ZIMMER

May 15, 2026, 8 PM

Polk Theatre

121 South Florida Ave, Lakeland

Hear the symphonic world of Hans Zimmer with music from James Bond, The Lion King, The Pirates of the Caribbean, Gladiator, The Dark Knight, Inception, Interstellar, Top Gun, Dune and more! polktheatre.org

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LAKELAND COMEDY UNDERGROUND PRESENTS A CROWD WORK JOINT

May 15, 2026, 8-9:30 PM

Stage room Lakeland

310 E lemon Street , Lakeland

Monthly underground comedy show. Stand-up comedy based off of crowd interaction.

JESSICA MICHELLE SINGLETON FROM DON’T TELL!

May 15, 2026, 8-10 PM

Laugh Out Lounge

19 3rd St NW, Winter Haven

You might recognize Jessica from her Don’t Tell Comedy special which has garnered millions of views, or from Lliza’s Local’s on HULU. winterhavenlol.com

POLK COUNTY WOMEN MEAN BUSINESS INDOOR MARKET

May 16, 2026, 8 AM-1 PM

COhatch Lakeland

211 E. Main Street, Lakeland

Polk County Women Mean Business is a communitydriven group where you can discover trusted womenowned businesses right here in Polk County, Florida. We host in-person business meetings and now we are the hosts of the monthly Indoor Market at COhatchLakeland on the 3rd Saturday of every month. We welcome everyone to participate in our market to shop or as a vendor.

DOWNTOWN LKLD FARMERS CURB MARKET

May 16, 2026, 8 AM-2 PM

Located on N Kentucky Ave stretching from Lemon Street north to Oak Street every Saturday. Local, handmade, homegrown produce, plants, artisan gifts, pastries, breads, specialty foods, and more! downtownlkld.com/farmerscurbmarket

MUSEUM OF WINTER HAVEN HISTORY

May 16, 2026, 9 AM-12 PM

Woman’s Club of Winter Haven 660 Pope Avenue, NW, Winter Haven

Exhibits and tours regarding Winter Haven’s history beginning in 1880.

WINTER HAVEN FARMERS MARKET

May 16, 2026, 9 AM-1 PM

Visit us every Saturday along Magnolia Ave in Downtown Winter Haven between 2nd St SW & 3rd St SW. We feature a variety of farmers, food trucks, artisan food vendors including handmade pasta, baked goods, meat, seafood, plants, and local makers every Saturday from 9am-1pm.

FB @winterhavenfarmersmarket

CENTRAL FLORIDA GUN SHOW

May 16 & 17, 2026, 9 AM - 5 PM

Sun ‘n Fun

4175 Medulla Road, Lakeland

Two days with nearly 300 vendor tables packed with everything from everyday carry essentials to rare collectibles you won’t find anywhere else. More info at lakelandgunshow.com

SPRING BLING MAJORETTE SHOWDOWN

May 16, 2026, 11 AM-5 PM

Oakland Community Center

915 Avenue E, Haines City

Doors open at 11 AM. Tickets available at the door. See you there! For More Info (786)333-5390

CHARCOAL PORTRAIT DRAWING WITH WILLIAM ARAUJO

May 16, 2026, 12-4 PM

Depot Arts District

955 E. Memorial, Lakeland

William will show you how to utilize charcoal and ink to create strong compositions and refine your drawing skills. This four hour workshop will employ ink to loosely sketch out photo references, aid in analyzing form, tonality, value scale, shape and, composition. All supplies are included. Some previous drawing instruction might be helpful, but it not required. lakelandartsassociation.com

CYPRESS GARDENS SKI TEAM SHOW

May 16, 2026, 4:15 PM

Lake Silver

N Lake Silver Dr NW Winter Haven

Watch the world-famous ski team perform a free show. Pre-show begins at 4:15, show begins at 5. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on, money for concessions, and cash for the 50/50.

THIS IS LOVE -

A FINE ART SHOW BY LDDA

May 16, 2026

117 N. Kentucky Ave.

Lakeland Downtown Development Association

This is Love A Fine Art Show open to everyone! On view from May 16 - August 29. lakelandartsassociation.com

ME DUO

May 16, 2026, 5:30-8 PM

Bowen Yard

308 4th St SW, Winter Haven

Live music every weekend! FB @bowenyardwh

MOM PROM

May 16, 2026, 7 PM

Rustic Grace Barn

1680 Horseshoe Creek Road, Davenport

Grab your besties, dress to impress, and get ready for a night to remember! Moms and women ages 21+ are invited to an evening filled with fun, laughter, and glamour—all in support of a meaningful cause. Proceeds benefit The Women’s Resource Center of Polk County. Text or call 863-206-6769 to sponsor or donate.

DIXIELAND MID-DAY MARKET

May 17, 2026, 10 AM-3 PM

Union Hall

1023 Florida Ave S, Lakeland

Relax in Dixieland on the 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month at the Dixieland Mid-Day Market! Shop the market and find your next favorite artist, local brands, entrepreneurs and more! Don’t forget to pick up a sweet treat from one of our Bakers! Emporiumlakeland.com

WALTER PARKS

May 17, 2026, 6 PM

Gram Parsons Derry Down

297 5th Street NW, Winter Haven

Walter Parks’ original and tributed work is an inspired soundtrack to the Okefenokee Swamp–headwaters of The Suwannee River near where he grew up in North Florida. His research and unique reimaginings of the hollers, hymns and reels of swamp homesteaders

- CONTINUED ON

MAY 2026

are archived in The Library of Congress/American Folklife Collection. Doors at 6 PM Show at 7 PM. gpderrydown.com

MONDAY SWING DANCE WORKSHOP

May 18, 2026, 6:30 PM

Union Hall

1023 Florida Ave S, Lakeland

Ready to jump into the Lindy Hop scene? Our weekly workshops are perfect for beginners and seasoned swing dancers alike. lkldlindyhop.com

ART AROUND THE WORLD

May 19, 2026, 3:30 PM Mulberry Cultural Center

103 E Canal St, Mulberry

A free class for elementary students! Each session introduces young artists to the colors, traditions, and cultural expressions of countries across the globe. Through hands-on projects and guided exploration, students will learn, create, and broaden their understanding of the world—one artwork at a time. mulberryculturalcenter.org

BREW CREW RUN CLUB

May 19, 2026, 5:30 PM

Swan Brewing

115 W Pine St, Lakeland

Join the Lakeland Runners Club. Check-In starts at 5:45PM and is FREE and open to all levels of runners! FB @swanbrewingco

EVENING SOUND BATH WITH CRYSTAL SINGING BOWLS

May 19, 2026, 5:30-6:30 PM Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales

Anthony Profeta will use Himalayan Singing bowls, Crystal Singing Bowls, tuning forks, and other vibrational tools to de-stress, restore balance, and bring well-being to your body, mind, & soul. boktowergardens.org

LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS VS. BRADENTON MARAUDERS

May 19, 2026, 6:30 PM

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland milb.com/lakeland

TRIVIA TUESDAY

May 19, 2026, 6:30 PM

Grove Roots Brewery

302 3rd St SW, Winter Haven Free trivia every Tuesday! FB @groverootsbrewing

LIVE MUSIC BINGO

May 19, 2026, 6:30 PM

Swan Brewing

115 W Pine St, Lakeland FREE to play every Tuesday! FB @swanbrewingco

FLEET FEET RUN CLUB

May 20, 2026, 5:30-8 PM The Joinery 640 E Main St, Lakeland Run. Sip. Repeat. Check in at 5:30 pm, run at 6 pm.

FREE BINGO

May 20, 2026, 6-9 PM

Bowen Yard

308 4th St SW, Winter Haven

Grab your friends, enjoy delicious food from five amazing restaurants, and get ready to win great prizes! Every Wednesday.

TALENT NIGHT

May 20, 2026, 7 PM

Historic Ritz Theatre

263 W Central Ave, Winter Haven

Singers, dancers, musicians, comedians, magicians, poets, variety acts, and more will compete live on stage, while the audience votes for their favorite using their smartphones. Each monthly winner receives a trophy, a $100 cash prize, and a chance to return at the end of the season to compete for a grand prize. theatrewinterhaven.com

LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS VS. BRADENTON MARAUDERS

May 20, 2026, 6:30 PM

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland milb.com/lakeland

TRIVIA AT SMITH’S AMERICAN TAVERN

May 21, 2026, 7:30-9:30 PM

Smith’s American Tavern 124 S Tennessee Ave, Lakeland

Every Thursday, free to play, prizes for top teams, and great food and drinks while you play!

LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS VS. BRADENTON MARAUDERS

May 21, 2026, 6:30 PM

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland milb.com/lakeland

1776 THE MUSICAL

May 22 - 24, 2026

Lakeland Community Theatre 121 S Lake Ave, Lakeland

A brilliant imagining of American history. The narrative follows key Founding Fathers, including John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, as they grapple with the decision to declare independence from the British monarchy. lakelandcommunitytheatre.com

MULBERRY - NONFICTION BOOK CLUB

May 22, 2026, 10-11 AM

Mulberry Public Library 905 NE 5th St, Mulberry

This adult book club will focus on various types of nonfiction. Memoir & Biography, History, Science, Travel and more! No Registration Required! FREE program.

HOLLY CORDERO

May 22, 2026, 5:30-8 PM Bowen Yard

308 4th St SW, Winter Haven Live music every weekend! FB @bowenyardwh

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MISSY HALL FROM OPEN BAR COMEDY!

May 22, 2026, 8-10 PM

Laugh Out Lounge

19 3rd St NW,, Winter Haven

You might recognize Missy from her Dry Bar Comedy Special on Youtube, or heard her jokes on SiriusXM. winterhavenlol.com

LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS VS. BRADENTON MARAUDERS

May 22, 2026, 6:30 PM

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland milb.com/lakeland

SPCA FLORIDA “ RUN FOR THEIR LIVES “ 5K

May 23, 2026, 7-11 AM

Peterson Park

3700 Cleveland Heights Blvd, Lakeland

The SPCA Florida Run for Their Lives 5K brings together runners, walkers, and animal lovers for an unforgettable morning with a mission. Set against the scenic beauty of Peterson Park, this professionally chipped race offers the thrill of competition alongside the joy of running—or walking—with your four-legged companion. Enjoy a continental breakfast, a lively awards ceremony, and the powerful feeling of knowing your participation helps give animals a second chance. spcaflorida.org

DOWNTOWN LKLD FARMERS CURB MARKET

May 23, 2026, 8 AM-2 PM

Located on N Kentucky Ave stretching from Lemon Street N to Oak Street every Saturday. Local, handmade, homegrown produce, plants, artisan gifts, pastries, breads, specialty foods, and more! downtownlkld.com/farmerscurbmarket

MUSEUM OF WINTER HAVEN HISTORY

May 23, 2026, 9 AM-12 PM

Woman’s Club of Winter Haven

660 Pope Avenue, NW, Winter Haven

Exhibits and tours regarding Winter Haven’s history beginning in 1880.

WINTER HAVEN FARMERS MARKET

May 23, 2026, 9 AM-1 PM

Visit us every Saturday along Magnolia Ave in Downtown Winter Haven between 2nd St SW & 3rd St SW. We feature a variety of farmers, food trucks, artisan food vendors including handmade pasta, baked goods, meat, seafood, plants, and local makers every Saturday. FB @winterhavenfarmersmarket

DWIGHT ICENHOWER PRESENTS

ELVIS FROM A-Z!

May 23, 2026, 6:30 PM

Historic Ritz Theatre

263 W Central Ave, Winter Haven

Dwight Icenhower and the Blue Suede Band deliver a powerful tribute that takes audiences on a journey through the legendary career of Elvis Presley. From the raw rockabilly energy of “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Hound Dog,” through the iconic movie years, to the electrifying Las Vegas era. theatrewinterhaven.com

MULBERRY - ASISTENCIA TECNOLGICA DROP-IN (BILINGUAL)

May 23, 2026, Mulberry Public Library 905 NE 5th St, Mulberry

Technology assistance provided in English and Spanish.Stop by every fourth Saturday of the month for assistance. Aquí para ayudarle a navegar por las aplicaciones de la biblioteca y a utilizar su dispositivo. Pase cada cuarto. Sábadodel mes para recibir asistencia.

LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS VS. BRADENTON MARAUDERS

May 23, 2026, 6 PM

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland milb.com/lakeland

MEMORIAL DAY

May 25, 2026

CYPRESS GARDENS SKI TEAM: MEMORIAL DAY SHOW

Lake Silver

N Lake Silver Dr NW, Winter Haven

Watch the world-famous ski team perform a free show to celebrate Memorial Day. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on, money for concessions, and cash for the 50/50.

SPLASH FOR A CAUSE: BRING YOUR HEROES

May 25, 2026, 10 AM - 8 PM

Balmoral Resort

124 Kenny Blvd, Haines City

Have fun while supporting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation! 50% of your pool admission price will be donated to help support injured veterans, first responders, and families of fallen heroes. Plus, there will be a live DJ, family-friendly activities. Private cabanas available to rent. splashatbalmoralresort.com

ROCK N LEARN

May 26, 2026, 3:30-4:30 PM

Mulberry Phosphate Museum

101 S.E. 1st Street, Mulberry

A free monthly program designed for elementary-aged students who are curious about the world beneath their feet! This hands-on earth science adventure invites young learners to explore rocks, minerals, fossils, and the natural processes that shape our planet. Free.

BREW CREW RUN CLUB

May 26, 2026, 5:30 PM

Swan Brewing

115 W Pine St, Lakeland

Join the Lakeland Runners Club. Check-In starts at 5:45PM and is FREE and open to all levels of runners! FB @swanbrewingco

TRIBUTE TO THE DOORS

May 26, 2026, 6:30 PM

Historic Ritz Theatre

263 W Central Ave, Winter Haven

Storm Riders pays homage to the classic style of The Doors, with each member taking on the roles of the original band members. theatrewinterhaven.com

THE GREAT POLK PET SHOWDOWN

Think your pet’s the best in Polk County? Prove it!

Submit your pet’s photo today and vote for your favorites. Winners will be featured in June’s Haven and LKLD magazines, and get a sweet prize pack!

Nominate your pets today for the following categories:

• Best Dog

• Best Cat

• Best Alternative Pet (birds, snakes, fish, etc.)

• Best Farm Animal/Pet

• Face Only a Mother Could Love

• Best Hair

• Best Dressed

Scan to Submit!

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MAY 2026

LIVE MUSIC BINGO

May 26, 2026, 6:30 PM

Swan Brewing

115 W Pine St, Lakeland

FREE to play every Tuesday! FB @swanbrewingco

1 MILLION CUPS- LAKELAND

May 27, 2026, 8:30-9:30 AM

The Well

114 E Parker, Lakeland

Every Wednesday morning, entrepreneurs, dreamers, and doers gather for a free, community-driven program where local founders share their stories over coffee.

MULBERRY - MANGA CLUB

May 27, 2026, 2:30-3:30 PM

Mulberry Public Library

905 NE 5th St, Mulberry

Every fourth Wednesday, high school students can explore Manga through discussions, book tastings, drawings, and more!

ART HISTORY FOR KIDS

May 27, 2026, 3:30 PM

Mulberry Cultural Center

103 E Canal St, Mulberry

This free program introduces young artists to famous artworks, styles, and creators from across history. Kids will dive into fun, hands-on projects inspired by the masters, sparking creativity while learning about the stories behind iconic art. Perfect for curious kids who love to make, explore, and imagine!

MULBERRY - LEGO CLUB

May 28, 2026, 3:30-4:30 PM

Mulberry Public Library

905 NE 5th St, Mulberry

Every fourth Thursday at 3:30 PM we welcome to our elementary friends to build Lego with us.

SKETCH

May 28, 2026, 6 PM

Rose Dynasty Center

1253 W Memorial Blvd, Lakeland

Bring your art supplies to draw from a live model in drag! Pre-purchase tickets for $15. Model will be Rose Dynasty’s queen Tyreisha Jones. This is an 18+ event.

LET’S GET LITERARY: A CANDLELIT CREATIVE & BOOK SOCIAL

May 28, 2026, 7 PM

FLAMEcandlestudios

25 3rd St NW, Winter Haven

We put a twist on that old fashioned book club! Reader guests are offered $5 candle credit to apply to any item in the Gallery. Bring your book & relax! flamecandlestudios.com

LAKE WALES - NEEDLEWORKS ART GROUP

May 29, 2026, 9:30-11:30 AM

Lake Wales Public Library

290 Cypress Garden Ln, Lake Wales

Come work on your fiber arts projects with other crafty people, every Friday! lakewalesfl.gov

CHATTY CRAFTERS

May 29, 2026, 1-4 PM

Lake Wales Public Library

290 Cypress Garden Ln, Lake Wales

Meet in the Schoenoff Meeting Room

BRIAN BUCK

May 29, 2026, 5:30-8 PM

Bowen Yard

308 4th St SW, Winter Haven

Live music every weekend! FB @bowenyardwh

OPEN MIC AT THE KITTY CAT LOUNGE

May 29, 2026, 6:30 PM

Kitty Cat Lounge

946 East Orange St,, Lakeland

Got a song, a poem, a story, or a joke to share? Take the stage at our Open Mic Night and show off your creativity in a cozy, welcoming space — with a few curious cats in the audience. Sign up when you arrive to perform — and come ready for a night full of creativity and fun!

DOWNTOWN LKLD FARMERS CURB MARKET

May 30, 2026, 8 AM-2 PM

Located on N Kentucky Ave stretching from Lemon Street north to Oak Street every Saturday. Local, handmade, homegrown produce, plants, artisan gifts, pastries, breads, specialty foods, and more! downtownlkld.com/farmerscurbmarket

WINTER HAVEN FARMERS MARKET

May 30, 2026, 9 AM-1 PM

Visit us every Saturday along Magnolia Ave in Downtown Winter Haven between 2nd St SW & 3rd St SW. We feature a variety of farmers, food trucks, artisan food vendors including handmade pasta, baked goods, meat, seafood, plants, and local makers every Saturday. FB @winterhavenfarmersmarket

POKEKON-FEST - ALL POKEMON SHOW

May 30, 2026, 10 AM-5 PM

RP Funding Center

701 W Lime St, Lakeland

Get ready, Lakeland! PokeKon-Fest’s got all your favorite Pokémon battling it out live and loud!

rpfundingcenter.com

JAY HILL

May 30, 2026, 5:30-8 PM

Bowen Yard

308 4th St SW, Winter Haven

Live music every weekend! FB @bowenyardwh

VIVID SPRING AT LAKESIDE VILLAGE

May 30, 2026, 7-9 PM

1479 Town Center Dr, Lakeland

Celebrate the season with music, lights, shopping, unforgettable entertainment, giveaways, and a Spring Mini Market.

OPEN MIC RENEGADES

May 30, 2026, 7-10 PM

Kokomo’s Cafe

322 4th St NW, Winter Haven

Whether you’re a seasoned performer or a first-timer, this is your chance to shine on stage (poets, musicians, vendors, spoken word, comedy, singers, dancers). Grab a drink, food, check out Kokomo’s, shop the vendors, relax, and enjoy the show as local artists and musicians take the spotlight.

JOHNNY MAC FROM HBO!

May 30, 2026, 8-10 PM

Laugh Out Lounge

19 3rd St NW,, Winter Haven

You may have seen Johnny Mac in HBO or in numerous comedy clubs across the country. winterhavenlol.com

FAIRYTALE TREATS WITH THE ISLAND PRINCESS- A UNIQUE TEA PARTY EXPERIENCE

May 31, 2026, 4-6 PM

Enchanted Fairytale Hollow

818 E Lemon St, Lakeland

Join Moana for fairytale fun & treats! Enjoy themed snacks, an interactive stage show with costume changes, storytelling & singing. Must buy tickets in advance at enchantedfairytalehollow.com.

IT’S WRITTEN IN THE STARS

(March 21 – April 19)

You want fast results. The universe wants you to read the fine print. May is about money, stability, and not panic-buying things at 11:47 p.m. Build it right the first time. Focus on financial sanity.

ARIES CANCER

(June 21 – July 22)

Your social circle is getting a quality upgrade. Less “we should hang out” and more “come over, I made snacks.” You’re craving real connection and finding it. Focus on YOUR people, not just people.

(April 20 – May 20)

It’s your season, and honestly, you’re thriving. You’re clear, grounded, and slightly unbothered (your favorite personality trait). Career shifts are brewing, but you’re handling it like a pro. Focus on owning your main-character era.

GEMINI

(May 21 – June 20)

You can’t think your way out of everything. (I know, devastating.) This month is for resting, resetting, and not opening 47 tabs in your brain at once. Focus on actual rest, not “scrolling as self-care.”

(July 23 – August 22)

Career is calling, and it’s not just for compliments this time. You’re building something long-term, which means consistency. (I know, how dare they?) Focus on showing up even when it’s not glamorous.

(August 23 – September 22)

You’re ready to expand but maybe don’t turn it into a 12-step spreadsheet. Travel, learning, or new ideas are calling. Let it be a little messy. Focus on growth without over-controlling it.

(September 23 – October 22)

You can’t “good vibes only” your way out of real issues this month. Money, emotions, and shared situations need honesty, but it actually brings relief. Focus on saying the thing (yes, that one).

(October 23 – November 21)

Relationships are holding up a mirror, and wow, it’s accurate. You’re seeing what works and what absolutely does not. Adjust accordingly, no dramatic exits required (unless earned). Focus on healthy, equal dynamics.

(November 22 – December 21)

Freedom is great, but have you tried a routine? Small habits are the unsexy secret to your next big leap. (Annoying, but true.) Focus on getting your life slightly together.

(December 22 – January 19)

You’ve been productive. Congratulations! Now go have fun? Creativity and romance are back, and no, you don’t need to optimize them. Focus on joy without a performance review.

(January 20 – February 18)

Pluto retrograde in your sign = identity glowup; but make it slightly uncomfortable. You’re outgrowing old versions of yourself. Don’t go back just because they’re familiar. Focus on evolving on purpose.

PISCES

(February 19 – March 20)

Your communication is clearer, stronger, and slightly more “did I just say that out loud?” Yes, you did, and it worked. Focus on speaking honestly instead of hinting.

Surgical

Care Just for YOU!

At Lakeland Regional Health, our general surgery and trauma surgery teams are here to provide the best possible care, whether you need a planned surgery or life-saving intervention.

We treat a wide range of conditions using advanced, minimally invasive techniques whenever possible, helping to reduce scarring and support shorter recovery times.

As the only Trauma Center in the area, Lakeland Regional Health has trauma surgeons and advanced operating suites available around-the-clock. Your surgeon will guide you through every step and create a care plan just for you.

Health. Our Promise.